In “great awe” of the Pangasinenses’ commitment to preserve the Hundred Islands National Park and reestablish Alaminos, Pangasinan as one of the country’s premier tourist destinations, Vice President Sara Duterte on Sunday, March 19, underscored the importance of community efforts to infusing growth in the local economy. The official attended the celebration of the Alaminos City Hundred Islands Festival at the Plaza Marcelo Ochave. Duterte lauded their efforts in reestablishing Alaminos’ image as one of the country’s cherished treasures, adding that the people are “praiseworthy” for ensuring that the Hundred Islands National Park positively contribute and infuse growth to the local economy. “Let me commend your commitment and dedication that enables you to rapidly revive a culture of high spirit and regain your sense of pride and shared belief in creating positive outcomes through community efforts,” Duterte said. “Your celebration of the Hundred Islands Festival is a strong example of our need for collective cultural joy that functions as a gateway for national tourism and an opportunity to continually foster innovative ideas that positively infuse the local economy,” she furthered. The Hundred Islands National Park is considered as one of Asia’s premier natural wonders and tourist destinations.                                                               (OVP photo) But Alaminos City is not only the heart of Western Pangasinan and its center of commerce, finance, education, industry, and services, Duterte stressed. She said the city “is also the first and one of the country’s leading bearers of national park tourism” and highlighted the people’s continued efforts in giving “fresh impetus to preserving the visual identity of the city and its historical character.” “This initiative is laudable because it generates benefits on an educational, cultural, social, and economic level and continues to pave a productive, sustainable daily life in the city,” Duterte added. “Preservation of national heritage is not only attractive to tourists but also an investment to keep revitalizing local economies and the local services sector.” The Vice President offered Alaminos City one of her office's projects, the Mag Negosyo Ta ‘Day (MTD), which would assist women and members of the LGBTQI+ beneficiaries by augmenting their daily income and thereby making them economically empowered and independent. The MTD livelihood program is one of the official’s many flagship projects when she was still mayor of Davao City. It has since been adopted by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) for nationwide implementation. The program was recently launched in San Pedro, Laguna. Duterte also offered the MTD program to Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental when she visited the province last week.