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RiverMount boosts tourism, economy in Eastern Ilocos Norte


By Michael T. Esmino
Managing Editor

SARRAT, Ilocos Norte—Nestled between a river and a mountain, this once sleepy area has since woken up to the hustle and bustle of tourism activity.

Aptly named “RiverMount” for its location, this world-class hotel and resort is slowly starting to rewrite tourism activity in the province. Located at the eastern portion of Ilocos Norte, RiverMount has brought tourists to this once tourism-passive area. Tourists—foreign, domestic and local—have always been going to either the northern part of the province, or the southern portion of Ilocos Norte. Those areas, after all, hosts the white sand beaches, windmills, sand dunes, and world-famous landmarks. The only tourism-worthy sites in eastern Ilocos Norte are the tribal village of Nueva Era and the province’s first zipline in Banna. When RiverMount opened in September 12 last year, tourism activity in this part of the province began to perk up.

Boasting of 49 rooms, an infinity pool, conference rooms and seminar areas, RiverMount’s best tourist appeal however is its ability to bring nature much closer to its guests than other resorts in the country. The hotel affords guests a majestic view of the Padsan River at sunset and sunrise. The hotel’s design also gives a very relaxing ambience, lulling guests to unwind and really enjoy their vacation.

Pagudpud or Sarrat
In an interview with RiverMount owner Engr. Remigio Medrano, he said he was supposed to build a resort not here in Sarrat but in Pagudpud. He related that his friends in Metro Manila suggested that he should build a resort in Pagudpud to take advantage of the tourism boom in the province. But before deciding on anything, Mr. Medrano said he also consulted with his other friends in his hometown, Sarrat. In his talks with his Sarrat associates, they told him that their town should also join in the tourism bonanza currently being enjoyed by the province. Caught in a dilemma, Mr. Medrano choices boiled down to the guaranteed success in Pagudpud; or the uncertainty of putting up a huge investment in his hometown. Weighing his choices, he said he decided to give back to his hometown.

He divulged that though there was a big uncertainty on whether he would succeed in this undertaking in Sarrat or not, he stressed that his being able to help his town and his fellow Sarrateños in both areas of commerce and job-generation would make him more than happy even if he would end up not as successful as his other business ventures. He added that if this was the bet, he is more than willing to gamble if he could make even a little difference in the lives of his townmates.

RiverMount today
Fast forward to March 2016. RiverMount is slowly gaining traction as the newest resort in the province. Mr. Medrano intimated that the hotel is fully-booked for the whole month of March. He lauded his marketing team—both those in the province and in Metro Manila—for the great job they are doing for the hotel. He also took pride in the fact that 90% of his 110 employees are from Sarrat; the remaining 10% of his workforce, he said are experienced hoteliers from outside the province.

He also revealed that all of the hotel’s staff underwent a rigid six-month training. This training, he said, is for the hotel staff to learn their jobs and to perform them at par with other big hotels’ staff in the country. He further related that some of the hotel staff were not keen on the changes he wanted to implement at first, but he told all of them that being a staff in the hotel is like being a part of his family; and as a part of the family, they are all expected to become an important part of the growth of the hotel. Soon enough, all of the staff bought into this idea; and RiverMount became a well-oiled machine where guest satisfaction became their only obsession.

Future expansion
THE current success of RiverMount made Mr. Medrano prepare for a future expansion. He said he is planning to either put up a big-event facility or more group rooms in a recently acquired property adjacent to the hotel. The only problem he sees for the planned expansion, is the need for more parking areas. Though RiverMount has an ample parking area, he said the expansion would drive the need to have more parking spaces. He explained that more facilities mean more guests; and more guests mean more vehicles, hence the need for more parking areas. He however cautioned that before seriously planning the expansion, they still need to further enhance and improve RiverMount to make it more attractive for all tourists.



Asked if he felt he has made the difference in the lives of his co-Sarrateños which he wished; he said he is quite happy that this resort has made the difference he first wanted. But he added that he still yearns for more ways to help his town and its people. He emphasized that the resort has achieved exactly what he wanted—job-generator for Sarrat residents and an additional income for the town’s tax coffers; he however underscored that he could still do more for his town, and all he needs the chance and opportunity to do so.

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