Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco led the official turnover and inauguration ceremonies of the first tourist rest area (TRA) to be completed in Medellin town, Cebu Province.
Visitors on a road trip traversing the town of Medellin can now enjoy the facility with Filipino-inspired interior and furniture for free!
The DOT-TRA has a free charging station and comfortable couch and wooden chairs to rest in between travels.
The TRA also features a dedicated space where tourists can buy pasalubong (souvenirs) from a curation of local crafts and products of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Identified as a basic need for every traveling guest, the TRA also features a clean restroom and shower area—all free for guests to use.
“We decided to address one of the most basic necessities of travel–clean and decent restrooms and information center and pasalubong center.”
“Every detail of a tourist journey is important to the department of tourism and that is why we decided to address one of the most basic necessities of travel–clean and decent restrooms and information center and pasalubong center,” Frasco said in her speech.
The TRA, flagship project of the DOT identified as among the priority programs of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., is a convergence point that foreign and local travelers could approach by getting information on tourism sites and attractions, activities, accommodations; reporting concerns related to safety and security; and gaining access to other provisions necessary during their stay at a destination, such as a clean restroom.
The tourism chief was joined by Deputy House Speaker Duke Frasco; Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia; Medellin Mayor Joven Mondigo, Jr.; Vice Mayor Alfonso Lim; other local officials; DOT Undersecretary Shahlimar Hofer Tamano; Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority; and (TIEZA) Assistant Chief Operating Officer (ACOO) Gregory Oller during the turnover ceremony.
As he affirmed his support for the DOT, Mondigo said in a speech that he is grateful that Medellin has been chosen as one of the towns where the TRA was constructed to cater to tourists traveling around Cebu Island province.
“The municipality of Medellin has the privilege to be the first LGU to inaugurate and turnover this prestigious tourist rest area facility,” the mayor said.
“Tourism is indeed a game changer for Medellin.”
“Tourism is indeed a game changer for Medellin, we have been an agricultural town for several decades, and we recognize the vital role of tourism as the prime moving factor in our local development,” he added.
Other areas where the DOT broke ground on TRAs include: Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon; Samal Island in Davao del Norte; the towns of Carcar, Carmen and Moalboal in Cebu; Dauis in Bohol; Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte; Roxas in Palawan; and Baguio City.
