ILOILO – Department of Tourism (DOT) secretary Christina Garcia Frasco will spearhead the groundbreaking ceremony and the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the establishment of a tourist rest area (TRA) in the municipality of Tubungan this August 23.
Tubungan has been selected as one of the four sites in Western Visayas for the new TRAs.
The facility will be equipped with essential amenities aimed at enhancing the travel experience. These include clean restrooms, a coffee shop, a souvenir store, a tourist information area, and a charging station.
This initiative is part of a broader nationwide effort by the DOT to improve travel experiences across the Philippines.
“We are excited to announce that Western Visayas has been approved for four TRAs, with Tubungan, Iloilo being one of the selected locations,” read part of the media invitation from DOT-6.
As of now, the exact location in Tubungan where the TRA will be situated has not been disclosed. However, one notable local tourist attraction in Tubungan is Barangay Igtuble, a mountainous area that became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic as a destination for long rides due to its lengthy and paved roads, as well as the cool breeze at higher altitudes.
Despite its popularity, the area currently lacks facilities and amenities for visitors’ rest due to its remote location.
The confirmation of the groundbreaking was made by DOT Region 6 director Crisanta Marlene Rodriguez following a courtesy visit to Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. on August 16, to extend an invitation to attend the forthcoming ceremony.
The groundbreaking event will also be attended by tourism stakeholders, representatives from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), and local government officials of Tubungan./PN
