San Pablo and San Pedro islands allure tourists

Hinunangan town in Southern Leyte has two valuable jewels, the islands of San Pablo and San Pedro Islands. The islands have scenic places, clear waters that seem to change colors from light green to blue depending on the depth of the surrounding sea, and white sand beaches.
The local government of Hinunangan has drafted its development plan to improve tourism in the area and generate income to its constituents.
Some people dub the islands as Southern Leyte’s Maldives, a place internationally known for its pristine beaches. It is said that the islands’ waters have high salinity, such that one can float on them for a while.
The islands are only about a 3-hour drive from Tacloban City and about the same time from Maasin City.
Mayor Reynaldo Fernandez said the plan was jointly formulated by the local government of Hinunangan, Southern Leyte State University and identified stakeholders in the area. The intention was for the plan to seriously consider the social, environmental, and economic development of the tourist sites in Hinunangan.
Responsible development is the goal of this plan, which includes the conservation and protection of these areas through solid waste management, and ensuring that the carrying capacity of the islands is strictly adhered to.
The plan also showcases food products, artworks, and locally made souvenir items by Hinunangan Women’s Association, 4Ps and SLP members, and other private individuals.
Hinunangan, located at the eastern portion of Southern Leyte, is a 3rd class municipality with a population of 29,149 people. The town is also known as the “Rice Granary of Southern Leyte” due to its vast plain land that is entirely planted with rice. It has 40 barangays, two of which are the islands of San Pablo and San Pedro.