Rehab underway to improve Kapitangan tourism

Alexie Dionisio during the annual crucifixion rites held three years ago.

Current stages that will renovated, walls will be removed.

A boy shows nails used in crucifixion rites.

PAOMBONG, Bulacan—This town is best known for its vinegar products made from nipa palms; and for the annual crucifixion rites at Barangay Kapitangan.

This year, the Bulacan Tourism Convention Visitors Board (BTCVB) has joined hands with the Samahang Katandaan ng Kapitangan to conduct improvement on facilities.

Jo Clemente, chair of the BTCVB said rehabilitation is underway on the stage where the annual crucifixion rite is held.  This is in coordination with Councilor Myrna Valencia an Roman Gregorio, of the Samahang Katandaan.

“We have less than three weeks to make improvements and organize everything from traffic flow to participants information,’ he said.

Among the improvements that the BTCVB initiated is the rehabilitation of the stage where devotees reenact Jesus Christ's crucifixion.

Roman Gregorio by the newly constructed public rest room.

They will also cover the irrigation canal behin the stage with concrete slabs to give more space to tourists and pilgrims. However, Clemente said that rehabilitation of the irrigation canal will be completed by next year.

He described Kapitangan as the only tourist destination in the province that need no promotion.

But he said that it requires organization and planning.

This developed, Gregorio and his team has implemented the construction of a public comfort room just beside the stage.

He said that for years, lack of comfort room is one of the biggest concerns raised by both pilgrims and tourists.