Manotoc asks to prioritize families, livelihoods as Region I reopens tourism

Laoag City—“When we discuss tourism, it's not the economy and visitors but more so the families and livelihoods that rely on this powerhouse of an industry. Let us make sure that we prioritize the people behind this dear industry and make sure that they are the ones that benefit the most from this reopening."

Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc urged during the launching of the “Ridge and Reef Travel Corridor” at the Baguio Convention Center on September 22, 2020.

National and regional tourism chiefs, Region I local chief executives, heads of tourism councils, and presidents of tourism organizations spearheaded the "Ridge and Reef" launch, alongside presenting available itineraries and local products.

Meanwhile, the Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, reiterated that the previous memorandum of agreement signing aimed to foster the establishment of green lanes for tourists and promote safe travel and seamless interconnectivity of land voyage, subject to various health and safety protocols set by the Department of Health, National Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases, and local government units, among others.

Sec. Romulo-Puyat further explained the travel corridor as "zones between countries and territories that have demonstrated a capacity to effectively control the spread of COVID-19. It will allow citizens of certain provinces and regions to travel safely within designated zones through public health, and safety will be continued to be safeguarded."

Criteria to open as a travel corridor include low COVID-19 cases, presence of an international gateway for tourists, adequate health facilities to support the influx of tourists, in place new normal protocols, and openness of the local government units and communities to accept and host tourists.

Furthermore, Tourism regional director Joseph Francisco Ortega remarked: “Knowing that the ultimate problem was how to balance the economy and the health and safety of our constituents we first sought the help of our health officials from both the private and public sectors to ensure that we open slowly but surely."

On October 1, 2020 Ilocos Norte inaugurated its provincial tourist triage center in Pinili as a part of its reinforced COVID-19 preventive measures.

Mr. Manotoc and the Ilocos Norte Tourism Office spearheaded the event.

“As we move forward, we all speak of the new normal. We have to start becoming comfortable in this discomfort. There has to be a paradigm shift and cultural change, one that we must all embrace. This is a path we can forge together safely and prosperously," Mr. Manotoc noted. (Edison Justin B. Deus)

Comments

Empanada festival: A celebration of good taste and good life

By Dominic B. dela Cruz & Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporters BATAC CITY—If there is one thing Batac is truly proud of, it would be its famous empanada-making business that has nurtured its people over the years. Embracing a century-old culture and culinary tradition, Batac’s empanada claims to be the best and tastiest in the country with its distinctive Ilokano taste courtesy of its local ingredients: fresh grated papaya, mongo, chopped longganisa, and egg. The crispy orange wrapper and is made of rice flour that is deep-fried. The celebration of this city’s famous traditional fast food attracting locals and tourists elsewhere comes with the City Charter Day of Batac every 23 rd of June. Every year, the City Government of Batac led by Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta commemorate the city’s charter day celebration to further promote its famous One-Town, One Product, the Batac empanada. Empanada City The Batac empanada festival has already become an annua

PGIN honors Ilocano heroes of past, present through Heroes Walk

SPO1 Allan Lampitoc Franco of Banna, Ilocos Norte and PO2 Jovalyn D. Lozano of Adams, Ilocos Norte receive a resolution of commendation, a certificate of college scholarship grant to their family members and a P20,000 cash incentive each from the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte represented by Governor Imee R. Marcos and Vice Governor Angelo M. Barba in recognition of their bravery and heroic acts in the Mamasapano clash in Maguindanao on January 25. Mr. Franco and Mr. Lozano were recognized on March 10 in time for the unveiling of the second batch of Ilocano heroes at the Heroes Walk located along the Sirib Mile in Laoag City. (Lei Adriano) By Jennifer T. Pambid PGIN-CMO In honor of the heroes who brought freedom, fame and glory to the province as well as to the country in the past century, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) through the Education Department and Sirib Youth Office launched the second batch of Ilocano Heroes Walk on March 10, 2015.

Pagudpud’s tourism transformer passes away

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Retired Philippine Air Force Col. Ricardo Nolasco Jr., owner of Hannah’s Beach Resort and Convention Center in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte passed away on Wednesday evening, July 11, 2018. He was 67. “He did not survive an open-heart surgery,” said Ronald Dominguez, spokesperson of the largest resort at Brgy. Balaoi in Pagudpud. Known as the architect behind the transformation of Pagudpud town as a premiere destination of the north, Mr. Nolasco put up Hannah’s Beach Resort in what was originally meant as a family vacation resort. The rest is history when it expanded into more than 300-room executive villas and cabanas, with on-going infrastructure developments and set up various amenities. As a result, hundreds of domestic and foreign tourists visit here daily. The resort is on a cliff by the beach, which provides a spectacular view of the sparkling blue lagoon. “Yesterday will go down my lifeline as one

The Ilocos Times

Search This Blog