By
Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff Reporter
In support of the Metro Ilocos Norte master plan for tourism, the Sangguniang
Panlalawigan has proposed the restoration and retrofitting of the Paoay church
and convent ruins. In a resolution sponsored by the committee of the whole of
the Sangguniang Panlalawigan headed by Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Eugenio Angelo
M. Barba, the proposed restoration and retrofitting of the Paoay church and
convent ruins is needed to boost the tourism infrastructure of the province as
a premiere tourism destination.
Provincial
board member Portia Pamela Salenda, chairperson of the committee on tourism
said, “Ilocos Norte is blessed with tourism spots which when fully developed
will provide investments, employment, development, convenience and prosperity
not only to the people of Ilocos Norte but also for domestic and foreign
travelers, visitors and tourists.”
She
said that the immediate restoration and improvement of the convent ruins
together with the world-famous St. Augustine Church of Paoay town will enhance
tourism and heritage sites of the province.
Through
Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), which is mandated
to select and approve tourism infrastructure projects for funding, the Ilocos
Norte government has proposed the preservation and strengthening of these
national cultural treasures within the tourism enterprise zones in
coordination with the National Museum and other concerned agencies.
Earlier,
the faƧade of the UNESCO-world heritage site of Paoay church underwent a major
facelift but its old buttresses also need to be rehabilitated.
Of
the 30 famous historical landmarks and heritage sites of Ilocos Norte, the St.
Augustine church known for its baroque architectural design captivates
thousands of local and foreign tourists visiting this site.
With
the opening of the Paseo de Paoay, a multi-purpose commercial building attuned
to the tourism master plan of the province, the provincial government hopes to
attract more investment opportunities here through a public and private
partnership to generate more jobs and boost local revenue sources through the
payment of taxes and business permits.
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