Ilocos Norte, DOT break ground for ‘tourist rest area’

Saud beach in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. (Photo courtesy of Ilocos Norte provincial government)

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte—The provincial government of Ilocos Norte and the Department of Tourism (DOT) took a step toward the establishment of one of the tourist rest areas (TRA) in the country on Monday (Dec. 12) in Pagudpud town.

“This tourist rest area serves several purposes, primarily to enhance the overall tourist experience. We recognize the potential of Pagudpud, in particular your Saud Beach, which has been recognized…as one of the 25 best beaches in the world,” said DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco in a message during the groundbreaking ceremony and signing of agreement.

According to the DOT, the launching of the TRA in Saud was considered as strategic since the site located is along the road where motorcyclists pass through when taking the regional motorbiking route, which extends until Cagayan Valley, according to DOT.

The DOT is partnering with Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), and the local government units (LGUs) in establishing at least 10 TRAs across the country.

The construction of each TRA will cost “around P7-million” with funding from TIEZA.

Garcia-Frasco said the TRA “perfectly complements the master plan” of the provincial government which envisioned the “full development of this beach into a world-class destination.

She explained that the TRA would have a “clean a decent rest room, an information center and a pasalubong center.”

In his message during the event, Ilocos Norte Gov. Matthew Marcos Manotoc acknowledged the need to upgrade the province’s tourism facilities, including hotels, homestays, resorts, among others.

“We need to ensure that the service and that the product we provide is tantamount to the price that [tourists] pay,” said Manotoc.

Garcia-Frasco said she was “very hopeful” that the establishment of a TRA in the province could signal a “very bright future” for the tourism destinations in the province. INQ

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