Tourism exec sees P’sinan as ‘Major Tourism Hub in Northern PH’
CAPITOL NEWS
LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – A national tourism executive sees the golden opportunity to promote and develop the province of Pangasinan as a “Major Tourism Hub of Northern Philippines”.
Tourism Undersecretary Marco M. Bautista, during the Economic Development Meeting / Dialogue held on April 17 at the Pangasinan Training and Development Center (PTDC) here, bared that the strategic location of Pangasinan and its diverse tourism assets — from beautiful beaches, heritage sites, and shrines — make it as an ideal destination for local and international tourists on their visit to Northern Philippines.
“Definitely, Pangasinan has been identified by the Department of Tourism (DOT) as one of the ‘tourism economic zones of the Philippines’ which needs further promotions and development,” said Tourism USec Bautista.
Complimenting the tourism boom of the region led by the province of Pangasinan, Bautista encouraged the provincial government to come up with a “tourism master plan” to prepare accommodation facilities and tourism-related establishments for the influx of tourists.
“We need government support and cooperation from tourism stakeholders. In Pangasinan, we are assured of its commitment, knowing that the provincial government has been aggressive on tourism promotions and development,” USec Bautista said.
In urging local leaders of Pangasinan who are present during the economic development meeting / dialogue for a collaborative engagement with national government agencies, Governor Amado I. Espino, III reiterated the vision of the provincial government for Pangasinan as “The best place to invest, work, live and raise a family.”
“Pagandahin pa natin lalo ang bawat bayan at syudad nang gumanda ang buong lalawigan ng Pangasinan,” said Governor Espino, who thanked the local leaders, and local planning and development officers, tourism officers for attending the meeting / dialogue.
The gateway to Northern Philippines, Pangasinan is strategically located near Manila, and Clark airport in Pampanga. Via the Tarlac – Pangasinan Expressway (TPLEX), travel from Manila to Pangasinan only takes three hours
In support to tourism development, the DOT – Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) convergence project for this year has earmarked Php1.6 billion infrastructure budget for Pangasinan — the biggest slice of the Php3.3 billion total fund for Region 1.
Implemented since 2012, the DOT-DPWH “Tourism Road Infrastructure Project” is intended for the construction of national roads, including barangay, and municipal/city roads heading to tourist destinations.
The tourism road infra project is on top of the soft –scale projects which include tourism facilities, rest areas, tourism building, viewdeck, board walk, lighting areas granted to local government units by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).
Meanwhile, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Charito B. Plaza, who extended her office’s goal of spreading development in the countryside, expressed her vision to push for the development of economic zones in cities and towns, which complement the landscape and available resources in a given area.
“We really emanate from the local government units so we can officially put all things together. We will help them how to identify, how to develop eco-zones, bridge them to sources of funding, and help them in inviting eco-zone developers,” Plaza said.
Also present during the meeting / dialogue to introduce opportunities for economic boom through tourism development were Undersecretary Dale S. Cabrera of the Office of the Cabinet Secretary and National Irrigation Administrator Ricardo Visaya represented by Engr. Carlo Cachola.
Local officials who also attended the meeting include: Second district Representative Leopoldo N. Bataoil, Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr., Board Members Generoso Tulagan, Liberato Villegas, Angel Baniqued, Jeremy Agerico Rosario, Jeanne Jinky Zaplan, Noel Bince, Nestor Reyes, Raul Sison and Salvador Perez, Jr.; and local chief executives Martin Raul Sison, II (Urbiztondo), Tyronne Agabas (Tayug), Timoteo Villar, III (Sto. Tomas), Alberto R. Guiang, Jr. (Burgos), Jumel Anthony Espino (Bugallon), Joseres Resuello (San Carlos City), Manolito de Leon (Basista), Simplicio Rosario (Binmaley), Joseph Arman Bauzon (Calasiao), Dominador Arenas (Labrador), Kim Mikael Amador (Manaoag), Ernesto Go (Pozorrubio) and Ramil Ventenilla (Mangatarem). /Mark Gerry Naval Oblanca
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