LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN— Tourists visiting Pangasinan can look forward to amore convenient and enjoyable travel experience with the completion of a Tourist Rest Area (TRA) at the Capitol beachfront here.
A joint project of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), the modern facility is about to open.
Once operational, it will offer essential amenities like clean restrooms, a comfortable lounge, charging stations, a lactation room, and an information hub–all designed to enhance the overall travel experience of visitors both local and international.
According to the national government, the establishment of TRAs across the country is a significant undertaking in transforming the Philippines into a “tourism powerhouse” in Asia.
The Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO), led by Ms. Maria Luisa A. Elduayan, emphasized that the new facility will not only improve convenience for tourists but also benefit local businesses, transport operators, and other tourism stakeholders by boosting visitor satisfaction and encouraging longer stays.
“This project reflects a collaborative effort to elevate Pangasinan as a key destination in Northern Luzon and sets the tone for future tourism-driven development,” the PTCAO stated.
In February 2025, Governor Ramon V. Guico III, DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and TIEZA Asistant Chief Operating Officer Gregory A. Oller signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) following the facility’s groundreaking ceremony.
Governor Guico together with Vice Governor Mark Ronald DG Lambino, expressed their gratitude to the DOT and TIEZA, revealing that the province lined up several game-changing tourism initiatives that include the redevelopment of the Capitol Complex—to further boost Pangasinan’s appeal and turning it into the Singapore of the north in the offing.
Funded by TIEZA and monitored by the DOT, the TRA project will be turned over to the provincial government upon completion.
As reiterated by the national government, the rollout of TRAs nationwide is part of a broader initiative to enhance infrastructure and services, paving the way for the country to become a leading tourism and destination of choice in Asia.
Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO, photos from PTCAO
