THE province of Pangasinan is not far from becoming one of the main tourist destinations in the Philippines, thanks to the extensive infrastructure that has been and is currently being implemented by the administration of Gov. Ramon “Mon-mon” Guico III.

One of these is the 42.76-kilometer (Phase 1 Binalonan-Lingayen) Pangasinan Link Expressway (PLEX) which has been a very important project of the Guico administration and will connect major areas in the province and its neighboring areas where there will be a significant reduction in travel time once it is open to the public.

“This is precisely our dream, to make our beloved province a major tourist destination in the country, and this will not be far off because we continue to build many facilities to further attract our province, including foreign tourists,” said Guico.

He said that even in a short period of time or less than three years, he has been able to build many infrastructure and development projects due to the solid support of the citizens, including officials in cities, municipalities and barangays throughout the province.

“We still have many projects lined up to further transform our province into a top tourist attraction, but one term is not enough to implement them and we can do it because we are all united,” said Guico, who is currently running for a second term in the upcoming elections on May 12, 2025.

The Guico administration has previously implemented the conversion of the historic Casa Real into a large museum, the Bańaan (Tagpuan) Provincial Museum; the construction of a multi-level parking lot in Manaoag, Bolinao Airport and the largest Reflecting Pool and Interactive Fountain in Lingayen; the beautification and preservation of Malico, the summer capital of the province; the development of a large eco park in the town of Bugallon; the use of so-called seaplanes for faster travel from Manila to the province; and the Laoac Dairy Farm.

In addition, the number of tourist arrivals continues to increase compared to previous years and the number of local and foreign tourists is expected to increase further due to the modern facilities and other tourist attractions that are being further strengthened and improved by the provincial government.

Based on records from the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO), it appears that there were 8,685,980 day tourists last year compared to the number of 5,597,867 in 2022.

“With more than 10-million tourists now visiting major tourist destinations like Manaoag, Bolinao and Alaminos, we can say that we have recovered from the recent Covid-19 pandemic and the tourism industry in the province has regained its vitality,” the governor stressed.

The province is expected to see more tourists during the summer months due to the many attractions such as town fiestas and the ongoing ‘Pista’y Dayat (Sea Festival),’ according to the PTCAO.

To further boost tourism, the Guico administration is promoting the construction of the 11-storey Government Center and Tower and the 1,500-seater Convention Center, both located near the Capitol.

The provincial government also partnered with the Department of Tourism and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority for the groundbreaking and construction of the Pangasinan Tourism Rest Area.

Like his constituents, the governor has great confidence and excitement for the soon completion of PLEX, a joint venture of San Miguel Corporation and the provincial government, which will further strengthen the provincial economy and the standard of living of Pangasinenses.

He said that once PLEX becomes operational, the previously five-hour travel time from Manila to Hundred Islands in Alaminos City and other popular beaches in the province will be reduced to just three hours.

“We are laying the foundation and planting the seeds for the near future and for the far future. So, I think this administration will make it smart as the builder of the excellent and new Pangasinan.

That’s what we want to happen,” said Guico.

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