Out of Town Blog
DOT inaugurates Tourist Rest Area in Bukidnon: The first in Mindanao
DOT inaugurates first Tourist Rest Area in Mindanao; Frasco bares plan to build 15 more TRAs across the country
MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon, Philippines—In a move to further spur tourism development in Mindanao, the Department of Tourism (DOT), led by Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, has formally inaugurated the first Tourist Rest Area (TRA) in the region located at the scenic Manolo Fortich town in Bukidnon province on Friday (August 4).
This is the second TRA that was formally handed over to a local government unit (LGU) by the DOT, next to Medellin, Cebu in July.
The newly inaugurated facility features an information center, lounge and charging stations, a coffee shop, clean restrooms with showers, a lactation room for breastfeeding mothers, and a pasalubong center to showcase local products from Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) such as the famous Bukidnon coffee, beaded items from T’boli tribes, and more. It also showcases artworks made by Bukidnon’s local painters and leaf carvers which add vibrance to the overall look of the tourist facility.
The tourism chief was joined by TIEZA Chief Operating Officer (COO) Mark Lapid, Bukidnon Governor Rogelio Neil Roque, Vice Governor Clive Quiño, Mayor Rogelio Quiño, Vice Mayor Reynaldo Bagayas, Jr., 4th District Representative Laarni Lavin Roque, DOT Undersecretaries Shahlimar Hofer Tamano and Ferdinand Jumapao, and Regional Director Marie Elaine Unchuan during the ribbon cutting ceremony.
A symbolic key was also turned over to the LGU during the inauguration ceremony. A leaf art showing a “key” created by local town artist Wilmar Sumahoy was also ceremoniously hung at the TRA site after the ribbon-cutting event as a manifestation of the DOT’s unwavering commitment to the enhancement of the overall tourist experience in the country.
In an address, Secretary Frasco shared that the establishment of the TRA is pursuant to the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos. Jr. to improve the country’s tourism infrastructure as well as to enhance the overall tourist experience in the country.
“It fills me with great joy to be back in the beautiful province of Bukidnon to fulfill the promise of our President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to give tourism development priority under his administration, to…
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