LAOAG CITY -- The provincial government of Ilocos Norte is offering free trips to its popular tourist destinations during the Holy Week.
Government-owned vehicles, usually buses painted red, will transport passengers visiting various church pilgrimage sites and some tourism landmarks along the way from March 29 to 31.
The buses will wait for passengers in front of the provincial Capitol from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In a public statement posted on social networking sites, the Ilocos Norte Tourism Office (INTO) announced that interested groups and individuals visiting the province this week may avail themselves of early reservations or just check the bus schedules.
On March 29, southbound passengers may avail themselves of free rides going to the Malacañang of the North, Paoay Lake, Paoay sand dunes, the UNESCO-world site Saint Augustine Church in Paoay, Ferdinand E. Marcos Museum in Batac City, and La Virgen Milagrosa Shrine, chapel and cove.
The next day, March 30, northbound passengers may join the route and make stopovers for at least an hour in each destination - including the Bacarra Church and museum, Pasuquin mangrove for a boat ride, Burgos lighthouse, Kapurpurawan Rocks Formation in Burgos, Burgos Plaza, windmills of Bangui and the public beach of Saud and then back to Laoag.
On March 31, the Sirib bus will pick up eastbound passengers in front of the capitol at 7:30 a.m. and transport passengers to Solsona-Apayao scenic mountain drive, Nueva Era eco-cultural park, to Dingras plaza and Josefa Llanes Escoda Shrine, Sarrat heritage walk and then head back to Laoag.
Tourists availing of the free rides, however, are advised to pack their own lunch and pay the entrance fees or green fees at destinations requiring these.
As in previous years, the provincial government has organized free rides for tourists to further promote the province as an alternative destination for pilgrimage during the Holy Week and for new and returning visitors to enjoy the beauty of the province, even on a low budget.
For more details about the Holy Week tours, visitors may contact INTO at 0949-628-2492 or email to:[email protected]. (PNA)
