Sen. Sonny Angara takes pride of Aurora’s tourism growth
By Hannah Torregoza
Reelectionist Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara on Tuesday said he is proud that his home province of Aurora now has a growing tourism industry.
Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara
(Sonny Angara Facebook page / MANILA BULLETIN)
Angara, Senate committee on local government chair, said his province’s tourism industry grew considerably over the last 11 years, with the number of tourist traffic in the province increasing by 11,981 percent based on government data.
“Aurora is fast-becoming one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in the country,” said Angara, who made a short visit to the province to attend its 40th foundation anniversary.
Citing figures provided by the Aurora Provincial Tourism Office, Angara said Aurora received 1,291,822 visitors in 2018, from 10,782 tourist arrivals in 2007.
Majority of these tourists—both local and foreign—went to Baler, which is known as the birthplace of surfing in the Philippines.
Baler is a popular attraction during the surfing season.
However, Angara said Aurora “is more than just Baler.”
“Isa lamang ang Baler sa mga magagandang lugar sa Aurora. There are other beaches in the province that have the potential to become popular tourist destinations,” Angara said.
Among the pristine beaches in Aurora that are not yet known to tourists include Dinadiawan beach in Dipaculao and Casapsapan beach in Casiguran.
Angara said these beaches should be promoted in order to sustain tourism growth in the province and to spread the benefits of tourism to other municipalities.
He added that a boost in the tourism industry would also help generate more jobs that would alleviate poverty in the provinces.
The senator said local governments should invest in tourism and develop the necessary infrastructure and facilities that would entice and make it easier for tourists to visit the area.
“We should improve our road networks and fix our airports. Even Baler could attract more tourists if the establishment of its airport would be fast-tracked,” Angara said.