Getting to Know Bato, Leyte and the Famous Bato Baywalk
Location: Province of Leyte
Neighboring Towns: Hilongos and Matalom
Region: VII, Eastern Visayas
Population: 35,610 (2010 census)
No. of Barangays (villages): 32
Land Area: 27.97 square miles
Zip Code: 6525
Province of Leyte
Occupying the eastern portion of Visayas, the Province of Leyte has a total of 40 municipalities divided into five districts.
All About Bato, Leyte
One score and four years ago, (if I may borrow a few lines or quote from the great Abraham Lincoln’s famous speech, The Gettysburg Address), the local economy of Bato was once primarily based around marine and agriculture.
However, it has always been one of the bustling and lively municipalities in the Province of Leyte. Why? Well, because of the town's geographical location and mode of transport. Bato is the nearest route from Tacloban towards Southern Leyte (capital city: Maasin).
Significantly, the municipality has the most productive shipping, bus, and trucking industry in the 5th district of Leyte. It’s also worth highlighting that Bato is considered the gateway to the southern portion of the province.
For over the years, Bato, Leyte has remained to be the center of trade and commerce in the 5th district of Leyte.
And recently, the town launched the certified seaside promenade tourist attraction, Bato Baywalk, along with the discovery and promotion of a few natural wonders like the majestic and enchanting two-tiered Gunhuban Falls.
Today, Bato is becoming the most productive municipality in all of Leyte, with the development growth even higher and stronger compared to cities.
Passenger Vessel Name
| Route
| Departure Time
|
|---|---|---|
Medallion Transport
| To and Fro Cebu City
| 9:00 pm Daily
|
Southern Pacific Shipping
| To and Fro Cebu City
| 8:00 pm Daily
|
M/V Sr. San Isidro Banca
| To and Fro Ubay, Bohol
| 9:30 am Daily
|
Usually, the tickets cost 250-300 pesos for adults and 150-200 pesos for kids. But of course, senior citizens, physically-challenged people, and students are given discounts.
Bus Company Name
| Route
| Departure Time
|
|---|---|---|
Super 5
| To and Fro Manila
| Between 10 - 12PM
|
CUL Transport
| To and Fro Manila
| Between 10 - 12PM
|
Mega Bus
| To and Fro Manila
| Between 10 - 12PM
|
DLTB
| To and Fro Manila
| Between 10 - 12PM
|
Ultrabus
| To and Fro Manila
| Between 10 - 12PM
|
Philtranco
| To and Fro Manila
| Between 10 - 12PM
|
The fare ranges from 1,000 to 1,500 pesos depending on the bus accommodation, air-con or non. Most of the ticketing offices are found in Maasin. The passengers are just picked up from their location, whether in Bato, Matalom, and other surrounding to
Bato Baywalk
How It All Came to Be
Bato Baywalk started its construction last September 3, 2012. It was intentionally built to serve as a breakwater, which is to be funded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Rep. Jose Carlos L. Cari. However, looking at its tourist spot potential, the mayor converted the area into a baywalk. According to him, Bato Baywalk was built through donations from his relatives and friends here and abroad, envisioned to boost the town’s tourism and trade.
Favorite Strolling Grounds
The baywalk serves as one of the favorite strolling areas of the locals. Residents from the neighboring towns will go here just to enjoy a leisurely walk overlooking the bay together with their friends and family too. They're able to take a breath of fresh air and feel refresh afterwards. Kids love running around and playing with others. After strolling, you can sit in the colorful benches and concrete cottages, then enjoy a magnificent and panoramic view of the bay plus its cool and uplifting atmosphere. You can also have your “groufie” with your friends and immediately upload it through their free wireless internet access.
Enjoying "Tugs Tugs" (Party! Party! People! Hahaha!) for your Nightlife
On weekend nights, the Batohanons enjoy free disco sponsored by the municipal government. So if you want to chill out, make friends or dance till you drop, you can add Bato Baywalk to your list for your night life escapade. If you also want to enjoy music, there are also gigs during weekdays.
For Young at Heart and Kiddos
What makes Bato Baywalk even more special is its newly built Children’s playground. There are seesaws, swings, monkey bars, and a whole lot more, which kids or even adults can truly enjoy. And mind you, it’s for free. Yes! No need to worry about entrance fee or what.
Feeling Hungry? Need Not Worry
There are lots of stalls to choose from. If you want to have your snacks, you can enjoy buy one take one burger for as low as 45 pesos. If you are feeling hot and you want to eat something cold, there are fruit shakes and special halo-halo for only 40 pesos. If you’re drop dead hungry, well, you can have delicious barbeque and puso (steamed rice wrapped in banana leaves) to satisfy you.
For The Religious
If you want to meditate and pray, you can also have it here with images of Sr. Sto. Niño, the town’s patron saint, and a life-sized statue of Our Lady of Miraculous Medal.
Tara na sa Bato Baywalk!
Truly you can do a lot of things here. Whether you are a party chick, food lover or an adventurer, you can surely enjoy what Bato Bay Walk or Bato Baywalk has to offer.
Adto nata sa Bato Baywalk! (Let’s go to Bato Baywalk now!)
The Municipality of Bato was recognized as the:
- ''2014 Most Progressive Municipality in Eastern Visayas''
- "2014 Emergency Free Municipality in Visayas"
Comments
i love the baywalk
- AUTHOR
Hi charlynjune! Yeah, that's one of reasons why I have an account here at HubPages. :) It's a great feeling to be able to help or bring awareness through writing :) Social media and blogging platforms should be used in this sense :) Thank you, by the way, for taking the time to read this hub :) Been in Leyte?
Nice move, Kabayan.. you are advertising our place in the Philippines.. I am proud of you. Nice hub up there..
- AUTHOR
Hi bonda! Thank you for taking the time to read this hub :) Actually, there are a lot of baywalks in the Philippines but the most popular is of course, that one in Manila - the Manila Bay. This one in Bato, Leyte is a newly built baywalk but it's gaining ground right now in the tourism sector of the province. So, if you visit the Visayas part of our country, go to Bato, Leyte and will be happy to tour you around :)
I'm ashamed to admit that i only know about Manila. Your hub tells me that you love Bato very much. Thanks for sharing that love in this hub.
- AUTHOR
Hi MsDora! Yeah, it's so much fun especially in the morning. You'll meet new friends as well :)
- AUTHOR
Hi tajoo! Yes, indeed. Thank you so much :) I hope this hub can help a lot of people who like to know more about Bato and visit the town.
I'd love to do my morning walk on the Baywalk. Might miss all the food or may return later. A beautiful place to be. Thanks for sharing it.
A very handy and interesting hub for visitors..
- AUTHOR
Hi annart! Thank you for reading this hub :) This is actually written so as to help the tourism sector of Bato, Leyte here in the Philippines. Who knows you will be able to visit this place sooner :)
This is an interesting insight into places I'll probably never visit; great photos too.
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