Governor’s Island up next for development
HUNDRED ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK
ALAMINOS CITY—With work almost done at the Quezon Island, next in line for development is the Governor’s Island at the Hundred Islands National Park (HINP) here, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Pangasinan.
Mayor Arthur Celeste said the provincial government under Governor Amado Espino Jr. has committed continued support in making improvements in three of the 123 islands to attract more visitors.
“The city government will focus more on the city’s tourism industry and agriculture in addition to infrastructure,” said Celeste, adding that his administration aims to increase the annual income from the Hundred Islands from about P4-5-million before to P10-15-million.
Quezon Island, which is now solar-powered and has new structures and facilities, has contributed to the P1-million increase in the profit of the HINP for the past six months with an average daily income of P50,000 during Saturdays, P30,000 on Sundays, and P10,000-15,000 on weekdays.
The wharf at the Quezon Island will also be extended by another 15 meters to accommodate cruise ships that make day stops.
Celeste said they are now working on the provision of potable water in the three major islands, namely Children’s, Governor’s, and Quezon by April of this year, in time for the influx of summer tourists.
Aside from a boat hop around the islands, regular and helmet diving are also offered at the HINP.
The mayor said two more activities will be added soon, another form of diving and underwater scooter to give local and foreign tourists more activity to enjoy.
NEW ORDINANCES
Meanwhile, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, which held its first out-of-town session here last week, approved an ordinance earlier passed by the city council authorizing Celeste to establish the Hundred Islands Café at the Plaza Enrique Braganza and authorizing the City Tourism Office to collect payments for its operations.
The city government is further proposing an ordinance that will serve as the city’s tourism code and regulate the operation of HINP to stop the abusive charging of fares and control prices of products by store owners, tricycle operators and boatmen at the wharf.
The municipal hall and the church at the city center area are also undergoing improvements.–Reports from Johanne R. Macob, Tita Roces, PIA1-Pangasinan/EBS
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