CHRISTOPHER “Toff” de Venecia, the 29-year-old son of former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. and Fourth District Congresswoman Gina de Venecia laid out his plan to initiate a legislative agenda that will improve tourism and make it the leading income generator and job provider in Dagupan, San Fabian, Mangaldan, San Jacinto and Manaoag.

In a talk to the media, the young de Venecia said he was inspired by his visit to Iloilo City where he learned that every place was designated for their economic and tourism value.

DE VENECIA

In the Fourth District of Pangasinan, Mr. de Venecia envisions Dagupan City as a modern tourism hub, San Fabian as eco-tourism and adventure trail hub, Mangaldan with its many resort as wellness hub, San Jacinto as an agro-tourism hub, and Manaoag with its Minor Basilica of the Our Lady of Rosary of Manaoag as Pilgrimage hub.

In Dagupan, Toff de Venecia said that he talked to all the city officials and incoming city officials and all endorsed his idea that the still pristine beach of Pugaro must be developed not exactly into a little Boracay but an oasis.

He said he will work closely with Mayor Belen Fernandez to give tourism an added push, noting that Dagupan’s beaches are luring tourists from all over the country not only during summer but also year-round.

Toff said he is glad that Mayor Belen has her River Cruise which must be made more exciting by giving tourists additional sights and entertainments just like in river cruises in other places and even outside the country he had the privilege to join in the past.

He said the city museum must be redesigned to allow for the works of national artists Edades and Salvador Bernal to be exhibited to remind the new generations of their great contributions to the world of arts.

There is also the Mac Arthur Shrine at the West Central Elementary School which he intends to develop with the help of the National Historical Commission and which some companies in Manila have signified to lend a helping hand.

The 32-hectare National Integrated Fisheries and Development Center (NIFTDC) in Bonuan Binloc, he said, could be harnessed for its agri-tourism capabilities.

“When I visited there, I learned from Dr. Westly (Rosario) that the center is often hosting students not only from various parts of the Philippines but also abroad who want to further study aqua-culture,” he said.

The center has a unique Fish Cemetery which is the first in the world, hatcheries for bangus, tilapia, sea cucumber and others, a Seafood Processing Plant and a school for aspiring  leaders of the fishery industry which can be shown to all visitors, he said.

In San Fabian, he said, its beaches can be commercialized just like Boracay.

Noting the hilly areas of San Fabian, the young de Venecia proposed the establishment of a Bikers Den that will cover Barangays Immalog Norte, Immalog Sur and Bolaoaen.

If San Juan, La Union is now known as Surfer Paradise, San Fabian can be made too as a Bikers Den because of its topography where restaurants and hotels that will cater exclusively to the bikers can be established.

The young de Venecia envisions Mangaldan as a wellness center not only in Pangasinan but also Northern Luzon because its many private resorts that cater to weekend tourists.

Of course, Mangaldan is known for its carabeef industry called “Pindang”, its tinsmith industry that processes not only bolos, knives and sword sold in Baguio and all over the country and of course Romana’s Peanut Brittle.

Unlike the tinsmiths in Calasiao which he visited who are all members of a cooperative, the tinsmiths of Mangaldan are not and operating individually.

He said San Jacinto is known for its agriculture which can be developed for integrated farming to benefit its people. It is known for its corn whose husks can be developed into bags, just what they are doing in Basista.

He said San Jacinto is an ideal place for horseback riding, adventure trail and where establishments that could offer bread and breakfast, can be put up to cater to stay-in crowd doing adventure trail.

Manaoag is of course the pilgrimage hub not only in Pangasinan but in Northern Luzon. But with 50,000 people flocking the church every weekend, a traffic problem has risen.

De Venecia said he is a member of a Task Force created by Archbishop Socrates Villegas which will try to do something to unclog traffic in Manaoag for the benefit of thousands of devotees.

As an artists who specializes in theaters, De Venecia said he would like to sit with the committees of various festivals in his district so he may give them suggestions to make their festivals more exciting and fun-filled. (Advertisement by Toff for Congressman Campaign)

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments