Pangasinan records 9M tourist arrivals in 2018

DAGUPAN CITY -- Some nine million tourists visited the province of Pangasinan last year, according to the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office.

 

In a forum on Thursday, Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Officer Ma. Luisa Elduayan said 7 million of the tourists mostly visited the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag.

 

Elduayan said other most visited spots in Pangasinan are the Provincial Capitol buildings in Lingayen, where conventions and meetings and other occasions are usually held; the Hundred Islands National Park in Alaminos City; Surip Beach in Bani town and other beaches in the western part of the province; the Balungao Hilltop Adventures; Sunflower Garden in Tayug town; and the Maranum Falls and Skyplaza in Natividad.

 

“Some tourists go here for culinary experience too since we have delicacies like Bangus of Dagupan City; puto in Calasiao; tapa in Mangaldan, and many more,” she added.

 

Elduayan also cited a recent research or study on the spending of tourists conducted by DOT in the province involving some towns and cities indicating that they spend more than PHP900 million in the province during their visit. 

 

She noted the 2018 data were only based from the towns and cities in the province that implemented the registration system used by the Department of Tourism (DOT).

 

Meanwhile, Elduayan said the province this year focuses on sports and farm tourism.

 

“We have been partnering with private companies to bring beach games in the province specifically the Lingayen beach since it has long-flat beach suitable for all types of beach games,” she said.

 

Philippine Beach Games will be hosted anew by the province, alongside the celebration of Pistay Dayat 2019 (Sea Festival) on May 25-26.

 

Elduayan further said farm tourism is also booming in the province with seven farm sites already accredited by DOT.

 

“These are learning sites and the farm sites also offer experience of farm life. We have in Mangatarem, Villasis, Balungao, and San Fabian, among others,” she said.

 

Elduayan also invited devotees this Holy Week, as Pangasinan offers pilgrim sites such as the old churches besides the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag; and Mt. Zion in Bugallon, Skyplaza in Natividad and Surip Beach in Bani. (Reblogged from PNA)

 

Pangasinan’s Surip beach attracts devotees on Holy Week

BANI, Pangasinan -- Stations of the Cross perched on a hill by the white sand beach here is a popular destination among thousands of Pangasinenses during the Lenten season.

 

Situated in Barangay Centro Toma, some 15 km. away from the town proper of Bani, Surip beach derives its name from the local term for “peep”, as it overlooks the vastness of the West Philippine Sea.

 

Municipal Tourism Officer Rommel Dulay, in an interview on Thursday, said some 4,853 local tourists, mostly from the first district of Pangasinan, and as far as Tarlac and Nueva Ecija, visited the place last year.

 

“We are preparing for more tourists, especially the devotees, who will spend their Holy Week here,” Dulay said.

 

The place has a chapel where a Holy Mass is celebrated before devotees climb the hill for the Stations of the Cross.

 

Dulay said the Stations feature statues that depict the life and sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, and on top is the Redeemer’s Cross.

 

Stations of the cross are on the hillside of Surip. (Photo courtesy of Bani Tourism Office) 

At the top of the hill is the Redeemer's Cross. (Photo courtesy of Bani Tourism Office) 

 “The place is open to the public. It does not charge any fee as of now, but we advise the visitors to please bring their own personal water container as we are discouraging disposable water containers to prevent trash in the area. And also to bring food and masks or handkerchiefs they could use since some roads going to Surip are still under construction,” he said.

Dulay further said the local government of Bani is renovating the comfort rooms, and putting up signage in time for the Holy Week next month.

 

During Lent, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police, Municipal Engineering Office, and a volunteer riders’ association will be present to assist and ensure the safety of visitors.

 

“There will be water stations, medical stations at the area, and a tourist assistance center at the town proper to assist visitors,” he said.  

Surip offers a serene beach where tourists can enjoy and appreaciate God's creation. (Photo courtesy of Bani Tourism Office) 

Meanwhile, Dulay said the devotees may also enjoy the white sand beach of Surip with its pristine waters at the foot of the hill.

 

A resort here rents out cottages for PHP300 to PHP500 for day use, as well as rooms for overnight stay for PHP3,000 to PHP6,000.

 

“This is also the campsite for the Archdiocese of Alaminos City, which conducts its annual youth camp here,” he said.

 

Dulay asked visitors to maintain the peace and cleanliness of the area as the town advocates for sustainable tourism. (Blog repost from PNA)