By Rachel Magday
NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines — Nueva Vizcaya is set to transform its World War II battlefields and historic landmarks into a heritage tourism circuit as the provincial government moves to establish “Liberation Trails” that will preserve the province’s wartime legacy while creating new economic opportunities for local communities.
The initiative took shape following a meeting between Governor Jose V. Gambito, Provincial Tourism Officer Marichelle O. Costales and Erwin Tiongson, a Solano native based in the United States who serves as director of the Global Human Development Program at Georgetown University.
The proposed Liberation Trails will feature guided tours of significant historical and World War II sites across the province, targeting travelers with an interest in Philippine history, military heritage, and cultural tourism.
Tiongson first presented the proposal to the Provincial Tourism and Culture Office during one of his “balikbayan” visits to Nueva Vizcaya.
He also facilitated the provincial government’s engagement with leading Filipino historians, including Dr. Ricardo Jose, professor emeritus at the University of the Philippines Diliman and one of the country’s foremost authorities on World War II in the Philippines and Asia.
Jose underscored Nueva Vizcaya’s strategic importance during the Second World War, describing the province as one of the country’s most significant battlefield areas.
According to Costales, the planned tourism circuit will highlight key wartime sites, including Balete Pass in the municipality of Santa Fe and Kirang Pass in Aritao.
Kirang Pass is home to a Japanese war shrine, commonly known as the Kirang Pass Monument, which was built in 1978 by Japan’s Rokusankai Society.
These and other historically significant sites will be documented and incorporated into the heritage trail.
Gambito welcomed the initiative, saying scholarly research will help the provincial government strengthen heritage conservation while promoting responsible tourism.
“Historical data can guide us in preserving these places while developing tourism that benefits local communities,” the governor said.
The proposal is expected to gain further momentum during the upcoming Nueva Vizcaya Historical Congress, which is co-organized by the provincial government and the Nueva Vizcaya Historical Society. Jose is scheduled todeliver the keynote address at the event.
Beyond heritage preservation, the Liberation Trails project is also envisioned to generate livelihood and business opportunities for residents through community-based tourism initiatives.
As part of the effort, Tiongson introduced local historian Desiree Benipayo, who organizes historical tours, to the Provincial Tourism Office. Benipayo, together with other local historians, has expressed willingness to work with the provincial government in developing memorial and heritage tours for the growing special-interest tourism market.
Also present during the meeting were Board Member Eunice Galima Gambol, chair of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Tourism; former Provincial Administrator Virgilio A. Tiongson; and officials of the Nueva Vizcaya Chamber of Commerce led by Magtanggol Maniquis.
Once established, Gambito said, the Liberation Trails are expected to connect major historical sites across Nueva Vizcaya’s municipalities, strengthen the preservation of the province’s wartime heritage, and position Nueva Vizcaya as a premier destination for World War II and heritage tourism in the Philippines.
