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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider MOA inked to promote tourist attractions in Ilocos Norte town

MOA inked to promote tourist attractions in Ilocos Norte town

Published Jan 24, 2023 03:48 pm

PAOAY, Ilocos Norte -- A memorandum of agreement (MOA) was inked between and among the provincial government Ilocos Norte, the local government unit of Paoay and the Paoay Sand Dunes Service Cooperative to promote and preserve the ‘iconic’ tourist attractions in the town.

Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc, Paoay town Mayor Shiella A. Galano, and Gilbert de los Santos represented the concerned parties during the signing of the agreement that aims to protect the livelihood of cooperative members, boost development, and use the tourist attraction as a pillar of the municipality's recovery.

"This agreement will strengthen and reinforce the bigger responsibility of the cooperative in Paoay in taking care of the sand dunes, which would mean sustainability in terms of the ecology and environmental importance, and the preservation of the sand dunes," said Xavier Ruiz, senior tourism operations officer of the Ilocos Norte government.

Paoay is the home of Paoay Lake National Park and the Paoay Sand Dunes, both regarded as premier destinations for rowing competitions and film locations, respectively.

The lake has served as the venue for multiple installments of the International Regatta Competition, while the sand dunes was the location of ‘Himala,’ which was voted ‘Best Film of All Time from the Asia-Pacific Region’ in the 2008 CNN Asia Pacific Screen Awards.

The MOA underscored the role of the cooperative to upkeep the Paoay Sand Dunes Art Installation.

The Municipality of Paoay, on the other hand, is in charge of overseeing the Paoay Sand Dunes, assisting in the information campaign and promoting the art installations, extending other services as needed, and developing and enforcing rules and policies for tourists and visitors.

The newest attractions established in the town are ‘Balancing Act: A Colored Cairn in the Field Sand,’ a solar-powered sculpture, and ‘Reflection of Rebirth,’ mirror installations that highlight the vastness of the tourist spot.

Paoay has been a popular destination for thrill-seekers interested in dune-bashing, sandboarding, and 4x4 driving.

The town also pioneered film tourism in the province by hosting major multimedia production companies. (Freddie G. Lazaro)

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