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Limahong Channel Tourism Center in Pangasinan groundbreaks

By Hilda Austria

June 6, 2019, 4:52 pm

<p><strong>LIMAHONG CHANNEL TOURISM CENTER</strong>. Pangasinan's Second District Representative and Lingayen Mayor-elect Leopoldo Bataoil (far left) lowers a time capsule on Thursday, June 6, 2019, at the grounds where the Limahong Tourist Center/Multi-Purpose Building will be constructed. Also in photo are Bugallon Mayor and 2nd District Representative-elect Jumel Espino, District Engineer Edita Manuel (Pangasinan 2nd District Engineering Office) and newly elected officials of Lingayen. The historical Limahong Channel was identifed as a tourist spot by virtue House Bill 6682 principally authored by Rep. Bataoil. <em>(Photo by Liwayway Yparraguirre)</em></p>

LIMAHONG CHANNEL TOURISM CENTER. Pangasinan's Second District Representative and Lingayen Mayor-elect Leopoldo Bataoil (far left) lowers a time capsule on Thursday, June 6, 2019, at the grounds where the Limahong Tourist Center/Multi-Purpose Building will be constructed. Also in photo are Bugallon Mayor and 2nd District Representative-elect Jumel Espino, District Engineer Edita Manuel (Pangasinan 2nd District Engineering Office) and newly elected officials of Lingayen. The historical Limahong Channel was identifed as a tourist spot by virtue House Bill 6682 principally authored by Rep. Bataoil. (Photo by Liwayway Yparraguirre)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- The construction of the Limahong Channel Tourism Center (LCTC) here will soon start with a PHP50-million funding from the Department of Tourism (DOT) for the first phase, as the groundbreaking ceremony was held in Barangay Pangapisan Norte Thursday.

“This is a project we can be proud of, as we aim to attract tourists from here and abroad. I tried my very best to source out funds and this is from tourism and infrastructure funding,” outgoing Pangasinan 2nd District Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil said in an interview Thursday.

Bataoil said his proposed LCTC would have a tourism center and a river cruise terminal.

It would also have an esplanade complex that was envisioned to showcase the best view of the Agno River, while a historical marker would be placed to highlight the historical significance of the area, he added.

Bataoil noted that the proposed river cruise could already be started in the area even with the phase 1 alone.

The first phase of the project involves the construction of the multi-purpose building, among others, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways 2nd Pangasinan Engineering District Office.

Bataoil, in recent interview, said he introduced LCTC “in the hope of enhancing the beauty of Pangasinan and its rich history, which would evoke a pinch of history and would even more stimulate local and foreign travelers to visit the place, which was earlier declared as a tourist spot”.

"Why won't we come up with something like the Lubok River Cruise of Bohol here in Lingayen since there is a historical value of the place?," he said, noting the great impact of Bohol's river cruise in tourism.

The outgoing congressman would soon occupy the executive post in Lingayen town as mayor-elect and vowed to continue to guide and support congressman-elect Jumel Espino, who would replace him in the 2nd district post so that the LCTC will be fully finished.

“We know the PHP50 million will not be enough to finish the whole LCTC project, but I will help in sourcing out funds. Since I will be mayor of this town starting July 1, I will have closer coordination with the provincial government and the local government unit for the management of the project,” Bataoil noted.

Bataoil’s measure declaring Limahong Channel as a tourist spot in the Philippines was approved by the House of Representatives last year. (PNA)

 

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