Batac City takes tourism dip after Marcos burial
>> Thursday, December 8, 2016
By
Jennifer T. Pambid
BATAC CITY, Ilocos
Norte -- New tourism developments are being planned by the provincial and city
governments to make Batac a ‘city of parks’ in Ilocos Norte.
This, after this city
took a dip in tourist arrivals following the burial of former President Marcos.
The mausoleum where
the body of the former President lain in state was visited daily by tourists
before his burial.
Following this, Gov.
Imee Marcos, the late strongman’s daughter said conceptual plans said Batac
would be transformed into a park city promoting environmental sustainability.
“Ang siyudad ng Batac
City, may planong maging ‘park city’ at ipagkakabit-kabit ang pitong parke mulas a
(Mariano Marcos State University) lagoon, Aglipay Park, Marcos Park hanggang
plaza sasentro, tuhog sa Ricarte Park, papuntang Billoca lake at abot pa sa San
Pedro eco-park,” she announced.
Ilocos Norte Tourism
officer Aianree Raquel said “Batac is envisioned to be a city with most number
of parks and the widest public spaces.”
The Ferdinand E.
Marcos Presidential Center in Batac remains top destination in the province for
local and foreign tourists.
As the transfer of the
remains of the former president at Libingan ng mga Bayani is being planned, the
redevelopment and expansion of Batac City center will provide new attractions
and further boost tourism in Ilocos Norte, Raquel said.
“We’re very
confident that tourist influx in Batac City will continue with these new
development efforts.”
The overall
theme of the plan is “heroic Ilocanos,” a celebration of the heroic tradition
of Ilocanos featuring famous and outstanding BataqueƱos.
Regarded as the
‘Home of great leaders,’ Batac City is the hometown of significant heroic
figures including former President Marcos; Gregorio Aglipay, the founder of the
Philippine Independent Church; and Gen. ArtemioRicarte, the Father of the
Philippine Army.
The initiative
is part of Gov. Marcos’ call to make Ilocos Norte “livable, sustainable and
resilient” by creating more public spaces where Ilocanos can exercise their
creativity while upholding their own culture.
Marcos said
public domain such as town plazas, beach and lake fronts, terminals, bars and
restaurants are places where “we congregate and form social capital, volunteer
associations, and bind friendships.”
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