MT. SAMAT, Bataan — The historic Mt. Samat Shrine will soon be having a Center for World War II studies and other beautification projects in line with Bataan Governor Joet Garcia's programs already in the pipeline which is seen to benefit tourists and visitors.

Mt. Samat Flagship Tourism Enterprise Zone administrator Francis Initorio revealed on Sunday that construction of toilets, colonnade, roads going up to the giant cross, beautification of museum and lightings around it are ongoing.

He added that more construction works will be undertaken in 2024, such as the areas that are still inaccessible to visitors going to Mt. Samat.

In a recent meeting with Undersecretary Reynaldo Mapagu and Mayor Charlie Pizarro of Pilar town where the historic Mt. Samat is located, officials of Mt. Samat FTEZ stressed their plans for the setting up of Center for World War II Studies, Electric Vehicle Service ascending to Dambana ng Kagitingan, Pocket Parks, Glamping Area and other projects.

"This early, the provincial government of Bataan thanked PVAO, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, Department of Tourism, and Department of Public Works and Highways for launching these projects," Garcia said.

The Mt. Samat or Dambana ng Kagitingan is the favorite visiting area of tourists and visitors due to its rich historical sites where thousands of Filipino and American soldiers fought fiercely with Japanese Imperial Army during World War II.

Aside from this, Mt. Samat had been declared by the provincial government as a historical site due to its unique features.