ALAMINOS CITY – There are 123 islands at the Hundred Islands National Park here. But there are a more than a thousand reasons to visit one of the premiere tourist destinations in North Luzon.
This was stressed by Martin Valera, regional director of the Department of Tourism (DOT) in Region I, after hosting the recent two-day media familiarization tour for Pampanga Press Club (PPC) members here.
“The islands are not just beautiful but there so many activities to do in the pride and joy of Alaminos, Pangasinan,” said Valera, who organized the tour with his counterpart in Region III, Ronnie Tiotuico.
“I have been to famous beaches and resorts in the country and abroad but the Hundred Islands is the best so far,” said PPC’s Ashley Manabat. “There are endless sights and things to do in the place not to mention that the local folk are superbly friendly.”
The fun-filled, family-oriented activities at the national park are kayaking, snorkeling (to see giant clams), spear fishing, island hopping, diving, bird watching and camping.
Best of them all, Valera said, is ‘simply swimming at the clear water and fine white sand beaches in the area.”
DOT officials lauded Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza for his tireless effort in bringing back the serenity and grandeur of the first-ever national park in the city. He took over the control of the Hundred Islands from the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) in 2005.
“Our collective aspiration as a people is to see Alaminos City as a place where peace and harmony reign, where our God-given natural resources are conserved and developed for the enjoyment of people from all walks of life,” said Braganza in a statement.
Valera said the DOT and the city government have agreed to work together to preserve the natural beauty of the islands and attract more local and foreign tourists.
In the last three years since Braganza took over control of the Hundred Islands, they recorded an increase of about 200 percent in the number of visitors yearly compared to the previous years.
“We also agree not to build permanent structures in the islands to retain their virginity,” said Valera.
Valera and the two-term mayor also tapped the services of the Hundred Islands Eco-Tourism Association to handle group tours in the national park. They prioritized the hiring of local residents for the association.
This was stressed by Martin Valera, regional director of the Department of Tourism (DOT) in Region I, after hosting the recent two-day media familiarization tour for Pampanga Press Club (PPC) members here.
“The islands are not just beautiful but there so many activities to do in the pride and joy of Alaminos, Pangasinan,” said Valera, who organized the tour with his counterpart in Region III, Ronnie Tiotuico.
“I have been to famous beaches and resorts in the country and abroad but the Hundred Islands is the best so far,” said PPC’s Ashley Manabat. “There are endless sights and things to do in the place not to mention that the local folk are superbly friendly.”
The fun-filled, family-oriented activities at the national park are kayaking, snorkeling (to see giant clams), spear fishing, island hopping, diving, bird watching and camping.
Best of them all, Valera said, is ‘simply swimming at the clear water and fine white sand beaches in the area.”
DOT officials lauded Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza for his tireless effort in bringing back the serenity and grandeur of the first-ever national park in the city. He took over the control of the Hundred Islands from the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) in 2005.
“Our collective aspiration as a people is to see Alaminos City as a place where peace and harmony reign, where our God-given natural resources are conserved and developed for the enjoyment of people from all walks of life,” said Braganza in a statement.
Valera said the DOT and the city government have agreed to work together to preserve the natural beauty of the islands and attract more local and foreign tourists.
In the last three years since Braganza took over control of the Hundred Islands, they recorded an increase of about 200 percent in the number of visitors yearly compared to the previous years.
“We also agree not to build permanent structures in the islands to retain their virginity,” said Valera.
Valera and the two-term mayor also tapped the services of the Hundred Islands Eco-Tourism Association to handle group tours in the national park. They prioritized the hiring of local residents for the association.
