About GETZ Project
The Guiuan Eco-Tourism Zone (GETZ) Project is being proposed for development as our humble contribution in nation-building particularly in the area of promotion and enhancement of the tourism industry which is one of the biggest sources of revenues of the government. It is noted that Region 8 is being programmed by the government as one of the "Super Region" of the country and the development of Guiuan as a tourism Center is within the perspective of that development plan in view of its inherent natural and historical landmarks and attractions.
The GETZ Project is the answer to the need to develop an integrated resort facility in Guiuan as indicated in the project Feasibility Study for Guiuan Nature Tourism Destination submitted to NEDA Region 8 by the Leyte Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It shall rise on the 64-hectares beach-front single tract of land owned by spouses Atty. Francisco P. Duran and Maria Diana L. Duran which has the following features: 1. It is strategically located as the southern ... (continue reading...)
GETZ Video Presentation
Guiuan, Eastern Samar
HISTORY:
Guiuan is widely known for two significant events in history 423 years apart. In 1521, Ferdinand Magellan first European to set foot on Philippine soil in Homonhon on his way to discover the Philippines for the Western World. In 1944, the American Forces landed on the island of Suluan where they fought their first battle in the Philippine territory three days before Gen. Mac Arthur stormed the beaches of Leyte.
The name of the town originated from its geographical location. The first settlers named the town “Guibang” when they discovered a sharp break in the mountain range (Tenigbang – partly chiseled off) which screens the town from the Pacific Ocean in the East. Subsequently, settlers modified its name to Guiuan.
The occurrence of World War II shook the town and people moved to the mountains to find comfort. On June 28, 1943, several Japanese soldiers set foot on Guiuan soil. Not as fearful and brutal as they were thought of by the local populace, a cordial relation soon existed between the conquered and the conquerors. Evacuees came down from the mountains and resumed a normal urban life.
Except for a few killings of suspected traitors by both Japanese, Filipino soldiers and local guerillas, not a drop of blood was shed needlessly. This made Guiuan one of the few places in the islands where World War II did not leave so many tragic memories.
The first sign of liberation of the town came on November 27, 1944, when a US Navy submarine chaser steamed the harbor for reconnaissance duty. On December 1, 1944, a fleet of LCTs, Liberty ships and barges poured into the Guiuan Bay to unload machines that was to transform Guiuan into one of the biggest Naval Base in the Far East that time.
In 1952, the sitios of Talisay, Bagambang, Calamrisan, Lo-ok and Barawalti, belonging to Barrio Tubabao, were separated and created into the barrio of Trinidad.[4]
On November 10, 1978, Proclamation No. 1801 was issued declaring Guiuan as a Tourist Zone and Marine Reserve under the administration and control of the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA).
On November 8, 2013, the city suffered heavy damage, along with 110 fatalities and over 3,625 injuries, as it was hit by the eye of Super Typhoon Haiyan (Philippine name Yolanda) with peak wind gusts near 380 km per hour (235 mph) and sustained wind speeds of 315 km per hour (195 mph). Almost every building was heavily damaged or deroofed, including the designated typhoon shelters, the Catholic Church, hospital and gymnasium.
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