LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—A partnership between the Province of Pangasinan, the Department of Tourism (DOT), and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) for the implementation of a tourist rest area (TRA) project in the Capitol Area is in the offing.
As this develop, Governor Ramon V. Guico will enter into and sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the concerned agencies.
In the regular session of the provincial board on October 29, a resolution authored by Board Member Marinor B. De Guzman was approved.
“The Tourist Rest Area is one of the flagship programs of the Department of Tourism in partnership with TIEZA that aims for local and foreign tourists in need of information on the tourist sites and attractions, activities, accommodations, safety and security, and other provisions necessary during their stay,” the resolution stated.
Known for its historical, cultural, coastal sun, and coastal tourism products, the Provincial Capitol Area has been greatly contributing to the image and branding of Pangasinan as it is likewise considered a driver to the provincial economy.
“The Province of Pangasinan in general and the Capitol Area in particular is a major tourist destination in the Ilocos Region which draws a considerable volume of tourists per year, thus the need to implement the TRA project to improve the overall tourism experience of visitors,” the resolution disclosed.
Moreover, the present administration endeavored to transform the Capitol Area into a major tourist attraction, both local and international, by enhancing its visuals and adding well-planned aesthetic projects such as the Reflective Pool and Interactive Fountain, a product of thorough deliberations between the executive and legislative branches of the provincial government along with the support of multi-agencies and grassroots leaders.
Some of the responsibilities of the parties stated in the MOA include the following:
- The DOT shall provide design and conceptual assistance for the interior design (such as the pasalubong center and other tourism-related business activities or services) of the TRA to make it reflective of the local culture;
- TIEZA to earmark, allocate, and appropriate, through its budget, the amount of P10,000,000.00;
- Province of Pangasinan to operate the TRA exclusively for tourism purposes; provide a government-owned property where the project shall be constructed.
It can be recalled that in the previous State of the Province of Gov. Guico, he said that
“The Provincial Administration through the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office strengthens our resolve toward the enhancement of participatory governance especially in tourism. We play the role of an aggressive catalyst to permeate every nook and corner of the province to strengthen the tourism industry.”
(Ruby F. Rayat/ Joey Olimpo PIMRO)
