Ilocos Sur focuses on tourism industry for economic recovery effort

BAGUIO CITY – Ilocos Sur governor Jerry Singson has called on local government units, individuals, even barangays and residents to enter entrepreneurship in tourism to help the province’s economic recovery program.

The Ilocos Sur top official said the provincial government is open to supporting entities and LGUs which would establish businesses near tourism sites as a first step towards helping the economy that collapsed during the pandemic.

“There are many tourism sites in our province, many waterfalls in upland areas that our tourists cannot reach because of the road, so we will focus on improving the roads and in the towns adjacent to the sea we will encourage investors to have beautiful beach resort in our area,” Singson said.

Gov. Singson, along with nephew Vice Gov. Ryan Singson and board members, is currently in Baguio city for their Executive and Legislative Agenda (ELA) workshop to discuss the economic development of each town in tourism.

The provincial government is also aiming to adopt the program ‘promoting one town one product (OTOP),’ and invite investors at the same time.

Ilocos Sur is one of the largest provinces in Region 1 with two component cities and 32 municipalities.

He mentioned that tourists focus only on the Heritage Sites in Vigan City. It is only right that upland municipalities that have tourism sites should also be promoted. In which case, livelihood will should also grow, Gov. Singson said.

“We are now working out to expand and beautify our Vigan airport, for not only domestic, but also international flights, to facilitate the arrival of tourists,” said Gov. Singson.

“So if the airport is reopened, tourists will flock and Vigan City will be filled, and they would also go somewhere else for their vacation,” he added.

“Whatever they need, we will provide just to fulfill this program, because this is the only way we can achieve economic recovery and of course when there are many businesses our economy can immediately recover,” he said.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong, on the other hand, said he is supporting the tourism program of Ilocos Sur and encouraged them to bring their products so they can be showcased booths or stalls every week on Session Road.

Mayor Magalong informed officials that Session Road is closed to traffic for residents and tourists every Sunday.

“This is one of the ways for the promotion of OTOP and showcase of tourism sites in our neighboring towns or provinces that want to introduce their areas,” explained Magalong.

“We have many tourists who are looking for other places to go and we know that tourism is a big help for economic recovery,” added Magalong.