On Friday, August 23, the Department of Tourism (DOT) led the groundbreaking ceremony and signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the construction of a Tourist Rest Area (TRA) in the Municipality of Tubungan, Iloilo.
Located in Brgy. Igpaho, this TRA is the first of its kind in Iloilo province and the Western Visayas region.
During her speech at the MOA signing, DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco emphasized the critical role of basic infrastructure in the development of both local towns and the nation, a perspective she gained from her experience as a former Mayor.
“Basic infrastructure is essential for the progress of our towns and our country,” Secretary Frasco stated.
In collaboration with its infrastructure arm, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), and local government units (LGUs), the DOT has launched the flagship TRAs nationwide. This initiative is part of a larger national strategy to foster economic growth through tourism, aligning with President Ferdinand R. Marcos’ vision of enhancing the Philippine tourism experience.
Secretary Frasco also stressed the importance of providing essential amenities for tourists, noting that this new TRA, like others, will offer clean restrooms, showers, and a “pasalubong” center to support local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
“We hope that these tourist rest areas will make our tourists feel valued,” she said, highlighting the need to cater to travelers’ needs, such as access to clean restrooms during long journeys.
The TRA in Tubungan will be strategically located next to the Baldan View Deck, which overlooks the scenic mountains of Tubungan, along the Tourism Road Infrastructure Project (TRIP) in the municipality. It is designed to serve as a rest stop for travelers engaging in popular outdoor activities such as trekking, camping, and biking, and is set to become a key hub for tourists exploring Tubungan’s natural attractions, including caves, waterfalls, and other eco-tourism sites.
The establishment of the TRA is also expected to stimulate the local economy of Tubungan and its neighboring municipalities, as well as the nearby province of Antique.
“Tubungan may be a small town, but it has a big heart and even greater potential. Through this Tourist Rest Area, we hope to continue supporting the successful tourism initiatives of Iloilo province and the tourism aspirations of Tubungan and its neighboring LGUs,” Secretary Frasco added.
Tubungan Mayor Roquito G. Tacsagon expressed his gratitude to the DOT for the initiative, stating that the TRA’s construction in their municipality fulfills a long-held dream.
“What was once just a dream in our tourism plans has now become a reality, thanks to the good Secretary of the Department of Tourism. We are deeply grateful for this much-anticipated Tourist Rest Area, funded with 10 million pesos. Thank you very much, Madam Secretary,” Mayor Tacsagon said.
Governor Arthur R. Defensor, Jr. also conveyed his appreciation through a message read by Iloilo Provincial Tourism Officer Gilbert Marin.
“This is a historic day for all Ilonggos. We are very grateful to the Department of Tourism, TIEZA, and Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco for choosing Iloilo and Tubungan as a TRA site in the Western Visayas region,” the Governor stated.
The Tubungan TRA will also feature solar panels and a rainwater harvesting system as part of the DOT’s sustainability efforts and the municipality’s eco-tourism initiatives.
The event was attended by distinguished officials, including Tubungan Vice Mayor Leo Cezar T. Taypen, San Remigio, Antique Sangguniang Bayan Councilor Felipe Victoriano, DOT Undersecretary Ferdinand Jumapao, TIEZA Assistant Chief Operating Officer Jetro Nicolas F. Lozada, DOT Regional Office VI Director Crisanta Marlene P. Rodriguez, and other provincial and local officials.
