City of Alaminos, Pangasinan
May 23, 2025

“Kilala ang Pangasinan pagdating sa pasyalan, turismo, at pagkain gaya ng Alaminos longganisa, bangus, puto, tupig, at bagoong isda. Higit sa lahat – sa bait at sipag ninyong mga taga-Pangasinan…Ngunit tunay na pinabibilib ako ng Pangasinan kasi hindi kayo nakuntento sa likas na yaman at pinagbuti pa ninyo ito,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said when he led the groundbreaking ceremony of the Sky Garden Project in Barangay Lucap, City of Alaminos, Pangasinan.

In his message, the President cited that the Province of Pangasinan ranked second among the top tourist destinations in the country in 2022, recording the highest number of local tourists. Pangasinan was also recognized as the Best Province in Local Tourism Planning at the 2024 Region 1 Tourism Summit, noting that nearly one million local and foreign tourists who visited the Province last year are proof of its beauty.

“At ngayong araw, ating tutunghayan ang isa namang kaabang-abang na proyekto dito sa inyong lalawigan – itong ating sisimulan na Sky Garden…Bunga ang Sky Garden sa pagtutulungan ng Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Alaminos, ng Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority o ‘yung TIEZA, at ang Department of Tourism,” he added.

President Marcos Jr. called on TIEZA to support the City Government of Alaminos in fast-tracking and properly implementing the construction, emphasizing that it must be senior-friendly, as well as to bring vibrancy for the visitors and create more opportunities like jobs for the local community.

Likewise, he highlighted the vital role of tourism in rural development, citing that it supports farmers, fishermen and souvenir vendors as well as the hospitality and transportation sectors.

“Ang panawagan ko lang po sa ating mga kasama sa pamahalaan, sa kapulisan, at sa mga lokal na pamahalaan, ating tiyakin na ligtas at maayos ang lagay ng ating mga manlalakbay. Sa daan, sa hotels, sa restaurant, o sa kung saan man sila tutungo,” he remarked, underscoring the importance of providing adequate rest areas for travelers. In line with this, the Department of Tourism (DOT) and TIEZA are building Tourist Rest Areas to ensure traveler comfort. These facilities will include clean restrooms, information centers, automated teller machines (ATMs) and souvenir shops.

Furthermore, the Chief Executive highlighted the ongoing national government infrastructure projects such as the Mangatarem–Sta. Cruz Road that will shorten travel time between Pangasinan and Zambales; the Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway Extension; and the Dagupan–Mangaldan–Calasiao Circumferential Road Project. These projects aim to make travel to Pangasinan’s attractions more accessible, faster and safer.

“Ngunit, kasabay ng pag-unlad, ingatan at paunlarin natin ang ating kalikasan. Huwag natin itong pabayaan upang maipapamana natin ito sa mga susunod na henerasyon…Kapag inuuna natin ang kapakanan ng isa’t isa, nakakabuo tayo ng kinabukasang ligtas at maunlad para sa ating mga Pilipino. Sa Bagong Pilipinas sama-sama tayong manindigan para sa bayan at para sa isang kinabukasang marangal, matatag, at makatarungan,” President Marcos Jr. ended in his message.

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