Enterprising Ilocos village to put up own hotel

Strategically located along the national highway of the Manila North road overlooking the largest windmills in Southeast Asia and just a few kilometers away from various tourism spots of Burgos town, the local government of Poblacion led by Barangay Chairperson Joegie Jimenez said talks were on-going for the realization of the project. (Photo: Paolo Dala/ Flickr)

LAOAG CITY–Poblacion, one of the richest villages in the town of Burgos, Ilocos Norte, plans to put up its own four-story hotel at a newly-acquired lot.

Strategically located along the national highway of the Manila North road overlooking the largest windmills in Southeast Asia and just a few kilometers away from various tourism spots of Burgos town, the local government of Poblacion led by Barangay Chairperson Joegie Jimenez said talks were on-going for the realization of the project.

The proposed hotel, according to Jimenez is expected to attract more tourists to stay longer in Burgos town and to boost economic livelihood here.

Ideal for nature tripping such as hiking, swimming, horseback riding and caving among others, the exotic beauty of Burgos can be explored in a couple of days or more.

Micro, small and medium entrepreneurs acknowledge the Kapurpurawan (white) Rocks Formation, one of the province’s major tourist destinations being frequented by hundreds of tourists from sunrise to sunset is also a great boost to their enterprise.

Even tricycle drivers like Roel Acupan of Tanap village said his daily income increased by more than 50 percent compared when Burgos town’s tourism spots were not yet developed.

Other famous sites in Burgos are Cape Bojeador lighthouse and museum, Tanap Avis Waterfalls and the Kaangrian waterfalls that never runs out of water even during the summer season. It also hosts the largest dragon fruit agro-tourism plantation in Paayas village.

Should there be an accessible hotel and more tourism recreation facilities on the ground, Jimenez said tourist traffic would certainly be increased to benefit his constituents.

With the village share of multi-million real property taxes from a major renewable energy producer in the country, the Poblacion government officials said they had already proposed a loan agreement with the Development Bank of the Philippines to finance the project and later on lease the property to competent hotel managers.

During the peak season of summer holidays and in the months of December to January, hotels and resorts in the entire province are all fully booked, prompting the Department of Tourism and the Ilocos Norte government to call on houses of mostly Balikbayans to share their residential houses to visitors and earn through rentals.

In Ilocos Norte, a number of balikbayan houses are left to caretakers and these are just occupied when the owner’s family comes home for vacation.

Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa Marcos is urging balikbayans or overseas Filipino workers to help their home province through investment or to rent their homes for additional profit.