Vacation in Paradise - Epilogue

Vacation in Paradise – Epilogue

On the way home on Tuesday, we decided to visit the Agas-Agas Bridge north of Sogod, Southern Leyte. It is the tallest column bridge in the Philippines.

It has a zip line and cable car that goes across the bridge.   It was a great tourist attraction and to think of the economic benefit it would have offered for the locals in the area with restaurants and gift shops and other services.

However, and from what we hear, the zip line and cable car are not in operation due to politics. The zip line and cable car are owned by a person of one political party and the mayor of Sogod is of another political party. When the license and permit was up for renewal a couple of years ago, the mayor did not allow it to be renewed. I wonder if it is a power thing, money kick-back thing, or the inability of the mayor to see the economic impact that this enterprise would have given the locals of his municipality. But from my perspective, the mayor of Sogod, Southern Leyte is being petty and is hurting the economy of the locals in the area. There is a nice looking building on the hilltop overlooking the bridge, apparently designed for restaurants and gift shops that the local tourism office of Sogod had put up the capital to build it.  It is not being used for its intended purpose - what a waste of tax money and resources - all because of politics. There are no restaurants now to cater to travelers. There are three small gift shops so you can still get t-shirts and mugs if that's any consolation.

I wish the zip line was in operation, we would have enjoyed it and would go back for more excitement, but until that happens, we'll explore other places some other days.

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