Tacloban City (CNN Philippines, January 9) — Visitors have to pay more the next time they visit Kalanggaman Island in Palompon, Leyte to help preserve and enhance the tourist destination.

The entrance fee hike will take effect on Jan. 16.

According to the new rates, foreign tourists must pay ₱1,000 for a day trip and ₱1,500 for an overnight stay.

Meanwhile, non-Palompon residents need to pay a fee of ₱300 for a day tour and ₱450 if they are staying overnight.

But residents of the town only have to shell out a day tour rate of ₱100 and an overnight stay rate of ₱150.

Meanwhile, elderly residents are free to enter the tourist spot, while senior citizens from other places will still be charged ₱240 for a day tour and ₱360 for an overnight stay.

Those interested to rent the entire island for one day will have to pay ₱300,000.

The Palompon local government unit also advised that cottage rates on the island range from ₱375 to ₱1,000.

The day trip from Palompon to Kalanggaman Island is from 5:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., while the pick-up returning to the municipality is from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The municipality also advised tourists to make a prior reservation by contacting their number, or message them online via Facebook or their website: www.palompon-leyte.gov.ph.

The LGU is strictly imposing a maximum capacity of 500 tourists a day on the island.

Known for its long stretch of white, powdery sandbars, Kalanggaman is not just a favorite tourist destination among local tourists but also on the top list of cruise ships making port calls in the region.

The island is located around 45 minutes from mainland Palompon and about two hours from Malapascua Island in Cebu.