Tourist rest area to be set up in Carmen town

CEBU, Philippines —  The signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) and groundbreaking ceremonies for Cebu’s Tourist Service Centers and Rest Areas (TSCRAs) are set today in Carmen, Cebu.

This will be led by Tourism Secretary Esperanza Christina Garcia Frasco who will be joined by her mother, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Department of Tourism-7 officials, the local officials of Carmen and among other tourism stakeholders who are expected to witness in today’s event.

Yesterday, Frasco together with Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) chief Mark Lapid, and Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon Mayor Rogelio Quino signed the MOA on the Tourist Rest Area (TRA) which will be established in Barangay Tankulan of the said town.

Also present in the event in Bukidnon yesterday were, 1st District Congressman Jose Manuel F. Alba, Vice Governor Clive D. Quino, Municipal Mayor Rogelio N. Quiño, Vice Mayor Reynaldo "Bojun" L. Bagayas, Jr. and Atty. Romwel Roque, representative of Governor Oniel Roque.

The MOA involves the tripartite arrangement in the establishment and maintenance of the place.

Stipulated in the agreement is the joint undertaking between the DOT, TIEZA, and the local government unit (LGU) where the establishment is located.

As the tourism infrastructure arm of the government, TIEZA is in charge of the funding and construction of the TRAs.

DOT, on the other hand, serves as the overall monitor and evaluator of the project.

The LGUs, for their part, are tasked to oversee the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the area.

When it will already be turned over to the LGUs, the latter will be permitted to lease part of the facilities to the private sector to recover the cost of its upkeep.

Just like the one in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, the TRA in Cebu is expected to cater to travelers in need of clean restrooms and a place to rest in between their journeys, particularly those who will take a road trip to tourist destinations around Cebu and to its neighboring provinces.

TRAs are also being conceptualized to have a coffee shop, pasalubong and souvenir store, tourist information area, and a charging station. —GMR (FREEMAN)