Multitudes of Puerto Princesa locals flock to Balayong Park last March 4, 2022 to witness the festivities for the 150th Foundation Day for the city. Nobody seems to mind if there is an existing pandemic as the city is currently under Level 1 category-being the lowest classification of restrictions.

Coincidentally, it is also the 18th Balayong Festival although the festival part was limited and focused mainly on the Balayong Park opening due to current pandemic situations.

Balayong Park is developed as a green space where fun activities could be held. It consist of an area around a 7 hectare park with 1,200 Balayong trees. Although at this point the trees are not yet noticeable as they are currently a few meters tall. Some of the trees where planted and some transplanted from elsewhere in the forests or from the side streets. This development which consists of a tower view deck, waterpark, recreational and children’s parks, food complex and artists pavilion costs around P250 million.

Back to the festivities on March 4, a concert at the park was held starting at 6:00 PM later followed by the Fireworks Show and the Grand Opening of the Interactive Water Park.

For would be visitors, the Balayong Interactive Water Park Fountain show start at 7:00 PM in the evening. It will be open from 4:00 PM to 10:00PM from Tuesday to Sunday. Mondays will be rest day for the Water Park.

Puerto Princesa City Government also inaugurated and commissioned several infrastructure projects including a waste water treatment plant and a bus and jeepney terminal during this 150th Foundation Day.

And we are happy as well for the small vendors who were there trying to seize the opportunity to earn amidst this turbulent economic times. According to the data by the Department of Tourism, in 2020, the Tourism Industry of Puerto Princesa lost P5.45 billion which is an 80 percent drop in revenue compared to the year before that. This has greatly affected the more than 24,000 estimated tourism workers in Puerto Princesa and Palawan.

We look forward to better days ahead for the tourism industry as 2022 is ushering in celebration and better times.