ILOILO CITY — Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco led the groundbreaking of a P10-million tourist rest area (TRA) in Tubungan town, Iloilo province on August 23.
DOT Secretary Christina Frasco leads the groundbreaking of a P10-million tourist rest area in Tubungan town, Iloilo province. (Department of Tourism)
The first TRA in Western Visayas region is situated beside a viewing deck in Barangay Igpaho overlooking picturesque mountains.
The TRA will address the need of travelers seeking to explore the mountain destinations of Tubungan and the neighboring towns in Iloilo as well as Antique province.
The TRA will have restrooms, shower areas, and a souvenir shop that can be accessed by travelers, especially those who want to go biking, camping, and trekking.
The facility is a flagship project of the DOT under attached agency Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) as well as in collaboration with the local government unit (LGU) of Tubungan.
Tubungan Mayor Roquito G. Tacsagon said the TRA boosts the town’s viability as an emerging destination.
Also present during the groundbreaking were DOT Undersecretary Ferdinand Jumapao, TIEZA Assistant Chief Operating Officer Jetro Nicolas F. Lozada, DOT Regional Office 6 Director Crisanta Marlene P. Rodriguez, Tubungan Vice Mayor Leo Cezar Taypen, Iloilo Provincial Tourism Officer Gilbert “Bombette” G. Marin, and Tubungan Tourism Officer Marlyn Tabian Tamises Tagudar.