7-Million Peso Tourist Service Center and Rest Area Rising Soon at Manolo Fortich

Soon to rise Tourist Service Center and Rest Area

Department of Tourism Secretary Maria Esperanza Christina Garcia Frasco spearheaded the ground breaking ceremony of the proposed Tourist Service Center and Rest Area (TSCRA) along with Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise Zone Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid and Manolo Fortich Mayor Rogelio N. Quiño, Bukidnon Vice Governor Clive D. Quiño, Bukidnon 1st District Representative Joeman Alba and Manolo Fortich Vice Mayor Reynaldo Bagayas Jr. held on October 7, 2022.

Manolo Fortich is one of the ten places in the entire Philippines chosen by the DOT and TIEZA as one of the first batch to receive the P7 Million project. The purpose of the TSCRA is to act as a one-stop-shop for the tourists and travellers where they can rest and ask for information regarding the tourist spots in the municipality. It will also include a “Pasalubong Center” where they can buy local products. The Manolo Fortich Tourist Service Center and Rest Area will be situated near the Municipal Gymnasium beside the Sayre Highway in which the construction of the building will start in the month of October and is expected to be completed early next year.

In her press conference after the groundbreaking, Sec. Frasco shared the plans of the DOT in accordance to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos’s vision. “We were able to identify seven main objectives in fulfillment of the vision of our President for the tourism industry to become a major economic pillar for the resurgence of the Philippines… We intend to fully enhance the tourist experience and the groundbreaking of the tourist rest area today fulfills this particular objective taking into consideration what tourists need when they go around the country.”

On the other hand, Mayor Rogelio N. Quiño expressed his sentiments regarding the said project relating on how this could help the livelihood of the people in Manolo Fortich. “This moment is a very big occasion and a great pride for the municipality of Manolo Fortich. In the entire province of Bukidnon, we are the first to be given the chance to receive the tourism rest area from the Department of Tourism. We are very thankful of President Bongbong Marcos and to Sec. Maria Esperanza Christina Garcia Frasco, our secretary of tourism with the TIEZA COO Mark Lapid that they prioritized Manolo Fortich of course with the hard work of our Regional Director Unchuan and the officers of the municipality and the previous mayor now Vice Governor Clive D. Quiño in our efforts to harmonize our strategies to provide livelihood for the impoverished people of Manolo Fortich.”