Tourists flocking Ilocos Norte with cultural attractions

TRAVEL AND CULTURE

J. Michael Mugas and Jennifer T. Pambid

LAOAG CITY – Tourists are flocking to this province to view its sites and experience its culture.

The provincial government reported an influx of 350,000 tourists during this year’s Holy Week, aiming to hit more than 1.5 million in the number of foreign and local travelers in the province by end of summer season.

In recent years, efforts of Gov. Imee R. Marcos in promoting Ilocos Norte’s key tourist attractions and vibrant culture through the provincial government’s tourism campaign ‘Paoay Kumakaway!’ have attracted national as well as global attention.   

Despite threats of  a typhoon,  356,443 tourists spent Holy Week in the province, a figure higher than the 271,106 recorded last year, the provincial tourism office said.

Among sites being visited by tourists are world-renowned Paoay Church, La Virgen Milagrosa Chapel, Nueva Era Cultural Park and the pristine beaches of Pagudpud like the Saud Beach and the Blue Lagoon.

Meanwhile, information from INTO showed that day tourists during the summer season last year accounted to 1.5 million, an indicator of the good and improving performance of the tourism industry in the province.

“We are expecting the same numbers for this year or possibly even more,” revealed by INTO.

Marcos said the provincial government is developing several tourism facilities in key centers in Ilocos Norte and is coordinating with private sector when it comes to development of their establishments and quality of service.

Some 300 Ilocanos have been deployed by the provincial government through its ‘Task Force Trabaho’ as tourist aides, utility personnel and paramedics in 42 tourist centers in the province.

Marcos said hiring was based on the personality, not with their college courses, as tourists always look for those who are ‘madaldal’ (talkative).

Following the hiring, the beneficiaries underwent orientation March 21 to prepare them  for the industry.

Night Express was launched March to address tourists’ demands for transportation particularly the ones going to Pagudpud. This service offers night trips during Fridays to Sundays, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. to four routes in the province (Laoag-Pagudpud, Laoag-Bacarra, Laoag-Paoay, Laoag-Dingras).

Meanwhile, more students are now benefiting from the provincial government’s program on education.

Marcos welcomed new set of Sirib youth leaders scholars during awarding of their stipend recently here at provincial capitol.

Marcos said unlike other scholarship programs which focus on academic qualifications of beneficiaries, Sirib youth leaders scholarship program gives chance to poor but deserving students who have commitment to serve their fellowmen and community.

John Raymond Pascual of Laoag City, one of beneficiaries, said the financial assistance is a big help to him since he is a self-supporting student.

He grew up with his grandparents who passed away. He had no one to depend on since his parents were separated and now living with their own families.

After graduating from high school, Pascua worked as encoder, store and office assistant for three years in order to earn enough money to pursue his studies.

He is presently enrolled in the Mariano Marcos State University-College of Teacher Education as a second year student. He continues to do part-time jobs to support his daily needs.

Pascua admitted that his present situation is hard but with the financial assistance given by the provincial government, he continues to reach his dreams.

“I want to be a teacher. When I was in high school, my teachers helped and inspired me, so this is my way of giving back. (I want to help) other people and to serve the province as well,” he related.

Pascua expressed his gratitude to Marcos for assisting poor but deserving students like him.

“I hope the program will last to reach out for more youth in the province. I know that there are still those youth out there who are unable to pursue their dreams,” he said.

Relating to the scholars as a “family for life,” Marcos said the provincial government will try its best to provide alternatives to any problem they may face especially in seeking quality jobs in the province.