Batac mayor anticipates tourism effect of planned FM burial at LNB

By Dominic B. dela Cruz

Staff reporter

Batac City—Mayor Albert D. Chua anticipates “a little bit of side effect” for the city’s tourism industry once former President Ferdinand E. Marcos is eventually interred at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Metro Manila soon.

“Ngem uray no kasta saan nga isu iti pakaupayan iti siyudad iti Batac a manggutigot kadagiti turista nga umay bumisita iti siyudad iti Batac,” Mr. Chua said.

He disclosed that the Marcos family is currently busy fixing the activity schedule for the burial. He said that, from what he knows, Mr. Marcos’ body will first be placed in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte—his birthplace—on September 15. The next stop will be at the St. Agustin Church in Paoay, then Batac. After these, the body will be brought to Manila on September 18, 2016 for the interment.

Mr. Chua added that although this would be a great loss for this city’s tourism industry, he said there are still other historical attractions here. He mentioned the two Marcos Museums, the Aglipay Shrine, Ricarte Park, and the Empanada area.

He further stated that, currently, they are also planning to innovate and improve the city’s business center to attract more tourists.

Among these innovations, he mentioned the establishment of a central part that connects Ricarte Park, the Batac City Hall, the Catholic Church, the Riverside Empanadaan, Aglipayan Church, and the Marcos Museum and Mansion. He added that they also plan to redesign the Marcos Mini Park into a “Great Leaders Park.”

The issue on Mr. Marcos’ interment at the heroes’ cemetery, however is still being heard at the Supreme Court, which earlier issued a 20-day “status quo ante order” beginning August 23, 2016.