Addressing the Eastern Visayas Tourism Meet in this city, Legarda said that the tourism "master plan" would be the "bible" of the tourism industry, pinpointing the strengths and assets of each region in the country for tourism purposes.

Legarda declared that the master plan would also provide the basis for a practical and comprehensive program for tourism development, based on the "strengths and assets" of present and potential tourism attractions in the Philippines.

In addition, the government and Congress must collate all tourism-related legislation and regulations to get a bird’s eyeview of where the country now stands on tourism, she said. From this standpoint, a comprehensive plan to develop tourism could be formulated on both the national and local level.

Legarda, who is chairwoman of the Senate Economic Affairs committee, also disclosed that she had instructed her staff to determine the reasons why other regions in the China and the side of the Pacific are more progress economically and tourism-wise than the Philippines.

"From this study we can learn from the success and experience of other regions. We can apply these lessons in our own country so that we can offer to the enjoyment and wonderment of the world more successfully the beauty and grandeur of these emerald islands which are virtually hidden gems in the cavernous expanse of the Pacific Ocean," said Legarda.

Addressing the Leyteños, Legarda noted that the Eastern Visayan islands are blessed by nature with incomparable beaches and coves that would lure the nature lovers and adventurers from all over the world. She mentioned that it was in Leyte where American liberation forces led by General Douglas MacArthur landed during the Second World War, more for the beauty of its beaches than for their military significance.

Legarda also observed happily that the tourism industry of the Eastern Visayas been experiencing an "upward swing", signified by a 23 percent jump in the number of tourist arrivals in 2006 compared to 2005. This resulted in an increase in tourism earnings by 17 percent in 2007 over 2006.

She also congratulated the Eastern Visayas provincial and municipal administrations for hosting more social, business and government conventions annually, increasing from 102 in 2005, to 170 in 2006 and 225 in 2007.

"This reflects the energy, dynamism and intensity of our regional tourism program which has been generating awesome rewards," she stressed.