The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority board approved nearly P4 billion worth of tourism infrastructure projects to promote sustainable tourism, restore and rehabilitate cultural and historical sites and improve overall visitor experience.
The board which met on Nov. 28 approved priority tourism infrastructure projects for Benguet, Palawan, Iloilo, Pampanga and Pangasinan provinces and for Corregidor Island.
TIEZA chief operating officer Pocholo Paragas said the approval of the fourth batch of high-impact tourism infrastructure projects was a major milestone for the agency since it was reorganized in 2009. Prior to the November board meeting, TIEZA approved P1.2 billion worth of tourism infrastructure projects which included the rehabilitation and improvement of the Chocolate Hills Complex. In total, TIEZA board approved P5 billion worth of tourism infrastructure projects in 2019.
“Our tourism infrastructure is not perfect. We need to develop, and build better facilities to ensure that our local and foreign tourists will continue to enjoy our beautiful destinations without compromising environmental sustainability,” Paragas said in a statement.