President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. led the groundbreaking ceremony for the Sky Garden project in Barangay Lucap on Friday, expressing hope it would help double tourist arrivals in Alaminos and spur economic growth across Pangasinan.
The Sky Garden, a collaborative effort between the city government of Alaminos, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), and the Department of Tourism, is designed as a family-friendly elevated park aimed at enriching the Hundred Islands experience.
“Let’s raise the number of visitors from 500,000 to one million before we finish this project,” President Marcos said during his speech, noting that more tourism-related initiatives are in the pipeline for the province.
“This is not just for Alaminos, not just for this district, but for the whole of Pangasinan and nearby provinces,” he added.
The president also highlighted Pangasinan’s rise as a top local destination, second in the country for tourist arrivals in 2022, with nearly one million visitors last year.
He praised the province’s signature products such as Alaminos longganisa, bangus, and bagoong, along with its award-winning tourism efforts, including being named Best Province in Local Tourism Planning during the 2024 Region 1 Tourism Summit.
The Sky Garden will feature accessible pathways and senior-friendly design elements. Mr. Marcos urged TIEZA to ensure inclusivity in the project’s development.
President Marcos also stressed the importance of safety, cleanliness, and infrastructure to support tourism, citing ongoing and future projects such as the Mangatarem–Sta. Cruz Road, the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway extension, and the Dagupan-Mangaldan-Calasiao Circumferential Road.
Tourism, he said, is key to uplifting rural communities.
“It supports our farmers, our fisherfolk, souvenir vendors, hotels, and transportation sectors,” the president said.
As part of the Department of Tourism’s efforts, 10 Tourist Rest Areas have already been built, with more under construction—including one in Lingayen.
President Marcos called for continued stewardship of natural resources amid progress.
“As we move forward, let’s not forget to protect the environment so we can pass it on to future generations,” he said.