Melo Villareal
Puerto Princesa City Heritage Tour
A Salute to Valor: Palawan Liberation
Palawan is known as the location of one of the new Seven Wonders of Nature because of its Puerto Princesa Underground River. Other famous destinations including El Nido, Coron Bay, and San Vicente attract tourist from all over the world.
This year, the 71st year of Palawan Liberation will be celebrated in April. The main sponsors of the event includes the Palawan Liberation Task Force composed of the Palawan Provincial Government, the City of Puerto Princesa, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Palawan Tourism Council, the Puerto Princesa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Philippines AirAsia and Rajah Travel Corporation.
With the theme: “A Salute to Valor: Palawan Liberation”, the event from April 21-23 highlights the role of Palawan World War II guerrillas and the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) during the Japanese invasion.
As history narrates to us, Palawan was invaded by the Japanese 14th Area Army to the island, bringing about the gruesome Palawan Massacre. The Palawan Massacre took place in now Plaza Cuartel. However, with the help of US navy fleets, the Japanese army was attacked in Palawan during the Battle of Leyte Gulf in 1945.
“The role of Palawan guerrillas who liberated the island from Japanese invaders during World War II was crucial to Philippine history,” said Governor Alvarez. “It’s about time we recognize their heroism through historical tourism programs.”
The 71st Palawan Liberation will grave the unveiling of new markers in Plaza Cuartel and Iwahig Prision in Puerto Princesa. Along with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the historical significances of these places will be relived during the event.
This year’s commemoration will feature the unveiling of new markers in Plaza Cuartel and Iwahig Prison by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) in the capital Puerto Princesa. After the Palawan Liberation in 1945, the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm was converted into a US Army Operations Headquarters. The penal colony was established back in 1904 by Governor Luke Wright to isolate the worst inmates from Manila, and those who cannot be accommodated by the Bilibid Prison, to clear virgin forests for farming. Eventually, inmates who served their terms were given lands of their own so they could rebuild their lives. Instead of being locked up inside their cells, the inmates are free to roam around the vicinity.
“Bilanguan man ay paraiso rin sa patakarang makadiyos at makatao,” one of the signboards state in Iwahig Prison. Governor Alvarez said that the Iwahig Penal Colony signifies the rich history of Palawan in pursuing restorative justice and the positive impact of tranquil environment to reform a law offender.
Considering all this, Palawan will offer new tour packages to visitors. This package will now include a visit to the World War II Museum and to Plaza Cuartel. Tourists will be able to learn about the battle of Filipino and American soldiers to liberate the province.
Program Schedule / Heritage Tour Itinerary for Delegates
Thursday, 21 April 2016
- Flight from Manila to Puerto Princesa
- 3:30-6:30PM Heritage City Tour and Palawan Special Battalion World War II Museum
- 7:00-10:00PM Gala Dinner and Awarding Ceremonies
Friday, 22 April, 2016
- 7:00-7:30AM Civil and Military Parade/ Motorcade (Mendoza Park- Plaza Cuartel)
- 8:00-10:00AM Plaza Cuartel Commemoration
- 4:00PM Departure from Puerto Princesa City to Iwahig Penal Colony
- 5:00-6:00PM Iwahig Prison Marker Unveiling Ceremony
- 6:00-8:00PM Firefly Watching and Appreciation Dinner
Saturday, 23 April 2016
- Departure from Puerto Princesa to Manila or Optional Tours
| Attendee Category | Rate per person | Inclusions |
| Delegate (Double or Twin Sharing) | USD 275 |
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| Delegate (Single) | USD 345 |
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For inquiries about Puerto Princesa City Heritage Tour, you may contact them via email: [email protected] or call them at (632) 894-0886 local 1504. Visit their website at www.palawanliberation.com or follow them on facebook www.facebook.com/palawanliberation.
To encourage tourists to visit Puerto Princesa City, Philippines AirAsia flies 5x daily from Manila with promotional fares now available via www.airasia.com. Fly-thru service from Kalibo to Puerto Princesa is also available with seamless connection via Manila.
