Camiguin island province once again proved that it is one of the Philippines’ most visited islands when it logged 19,000 visitors from April 1-9 2023.
Camiguin’s Holy Week ‘Panaad’ 0r Pledge of Walk, a pilgrimage act for Catholics that involves walking around the island’s 64-kilometer circumferential road that ends up in an ascent to old Mount Vulcan Walkway for a Station of the Cross.
During Lent, pilgrims walk the 64 km. encircling route as a sign of commitment and penitence. In the capital town Mambajao, “Panaad” comes to a close on Easter Sunday.
Camiguin Governor Xavier Jesus Romualdo said that official data from their required CleanCamiguin QR Code pass showed that there were 19,042 visitor arrivals for the 9 days of the holy week.
The CleanCamiguin QR Code is required for those who want to enter the island.
The tradition of Panaad started in the 1970s and grew into what it is now- an annual pilgrimage for both faithful and tourists.
As the holy week approaches, passengers and vehicles line up at Balingoan Port. To board the ferries, the waiting line could be as long as an entire day.
Camiguin has been one of the top 10 most visited Island provinces in the Philippines drawing close to a million tourists each year.
“On behalf of the Provincial Government of Camiguin and the good people of our province, we hope everyone had a meaningful and blessed Holy week,” XJ Romualdo said.
