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| ECONOMIC CENTER -- TOURISM | DEVELOPMENT TREND | AWARDS |
IV. ECONOMIC CENTER
TOURISM
Laoag City is the center of tourism in the Province of Ilocos Norte as gleaned from the influx of tourists. Among the tourist lures are the following:
1. Laoag City Commercial Complex - This 3 storey building was constructed to replace the old public market.
2. Tobacco Monopoly Monument - The only one of its kind in the country, a slender tall but graceful monument. It was erected in 1882 to commemorate the gratitude of the people of the Province of Ilocos Norte to his Majesty King Alfonso XIIL Q. D.G., for having lifted the tobacco monopoly that had been enforced in Northern Luzon since 1782 to 1882.
3. Laoag City Hall - This structure of Spanish Colonial vintage located just to the left of the Marcos Bridge when coming from the south is the seat of the city government of Laoag. It was impressively restored under the administration of Hon. Mayor, Atty. Rodolfo C. Fariņas
4. Sinking Belltower - The sinking bell tower of Laoag City is reputed to be the most solid, most massive and tallest bell tower in the Philippines.
5. St. William's Cathedral - It is the one of the biggest church of the country. It was in 1612 that the foundations of the present church of Italian Renaissance were made replacing the former wooden chapel. The church was damaged by hurricane in 1640, by earthquake in 1706, by fire in 1843. The church was restored in 1880.
6. Aurora Park - It is located south of the Ilocos Norte Provincial Capitol and at the center is where the statue of the maiden Pamulinawen is strategically placed atop the fountain.
7. Marcos Hall of justice - This was formerly the site of a low one?floor brick building called "Carcel provincial" where the late Pres. Marcos was incarcerated or detained when he was accused in the staying of Nalundasan.
8. La Paz Sand Dunes - Noted of its panoramic view overlooking the China Sea where local and foreign movie industry had location shooting. It is located in Brgy. La Paz.
9. Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel - Built in 1973, this 5 star hotel is situated amidst undulating sandhills in Barangay Calayab, Laoag City. It is 8 kms southwest of Laoag City proper and 3 kilometers south of the Laoag City International Airport.
10. Rizal Park - At the park, the statue of Jose Rizal was erected in 1957 by the Ilocos Norte Teachers Club with the cooperation of civic spirited citizens of the Province of Ilocos Norte. The park was restored/renovated under the administration of Hon. Gov. Atty. Rodolfo C. Fariņas wherein a playground, a swimming pool, a picnic ground and a mini?zoo are found.
11. Laoag City-Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena This centennial arena was undertaken by the joint effort of the city and provincial government. This is a venue for sports competitions, cultural shows, and other related activities of the city, province, region and national as well. It is the biggest in Northern Luzon with a sitting capacity of 5,000. It is located at Brgy. 3, Laoag City with a total land area of 1 (one) hectare.
12. Centennial Mini-Park and Heroes Walk ? It was built in commemoration of winning in the Best Centennial Decor in the National Level for 1998. This is an achievement worth remembering under the leadership of the Hon. City Mayor, Roger C. Fariņas and Madam Asuncion C. Fariņas chairperson of the Laoag City Tourism Council. 13. Ilocos Norte Provincial Capitol ? It was erected in 1918 with Don Florencio Castro as governor and inaugurated in 1924. It was enlarged and remodeled in 1957 with two wings added during the administration of the then Governor Antonio Raquiza.
There are numerous hotels with an aggregate of 125 rooms of international standards. Lodging houses in Laoag City likewise cater to the needs of tourists and other visitors. The hotels/lodging houses are the Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel, Texicano Hotel, Casa Llanes, Pichay Lodging House, Paradise Lodge and Drive Inn, Starlight Hotel, Hotel del Norte, Palazzo de Laoag, Northview Hotel, Hotel Tiffany and the La Elliana Hotel.
There are about 250 Department of Tourism accredited workers employed in Laoag City, working as waiters, roomboys, bus boys, receptionists, managers and the allied works of entertainers
The tourism industry in the province remains untapped in spite of some good tourism facilities. The Laoag International Airport is one of the country's few ports of entry in the north to and from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea and Japan. Taiwan alone can generate about 50,000 tourists annually, and this market has not yet been fully tapped.
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Ilocos Times. All rights reserved.