Island Tours, anyone? For only P25!
THE Dagupan City government is now authorized to operate the Island Tours as a revenue-earning activity.
The city council passed the resolution adopting the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the operations and management of the Island Tours, a facility consisting of three flatboats that will operate a two-hour cruise of the city’s rivers for students, visitors and tourists on a clear day.
The resolution sponsored by Councilors Alfie Fernandez and Karlos Liberato Reyna IV is in support of Ordinance No. 2034 earlier passed by the body allowing the Island Tours to go on commercial operation by charging a nominal fare of P25 per head per trip and P500 per boat per trip, the collection of which will accrue to the city coffer.
However, before the city can begin collecting fees, the boats need to be registered with the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) which is required by law.
Mayor Belen Fernandez said the nominal fare is being charged to cover the cost of fuel for the boats’ operations.
The three boats are named ‘The Philippines,’ ‘USA’ and ‘China’ that can be idenitified by the motifs representative of the culture of the three countries, were donations from multinational companies Procter and Gamble Philippines, Unilever and other partners of the city government.
Ms. Fernandez has tasked the City Agriculture Office (CAO) in coordination with the City Tourism Office to manage the Island Tours which will showcase the city’s clean rivers and the livelihood of fishermen to tourists and visitors.
During the river tour, groups are free to bring in their food or can opt to buy freshly caught fish from fishermen along the way.
Ms. Fernandez said the city government established the Islands Tours as its own primary tourist activity.
Dagupan is also famous for its Tondaligan Park where thousands of people are expected to flock on May 1 for the annual Pista ng Dagat, while its number one product is the famous Dagupan Bangus.
The Island Tours’ boats are moored in the Pantal River near the Star Plaza Hotel where the tour starts and ends. (Leonardo Micua)
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