04 October 2005
Hundreds Isles turned over fully to Alaminos City
ALAMINOS CITY – The world-famous Hundred Islands was officially turned over to the city government last Thursday.
Visibly ecstatic about the historic event, Mayor Hernani Braganza said the people of the city are very happy and proud that after more than six decades, the prime tourist destination finally returned to its original owner.
He thanked President Arroyo and tourism officials for making the transfer possible.
In gratitude, Braganza officially declared one of the islands as President Diosdado P. Macapagal Island in honor of the late father of President Gloria M. Arroyo.
“Hundred Islands is God’s gift to mankind, nature’s gift to Alaminos and the people of Pangasinan. (With Alaminos) getting it (HINP), comes big responsibilities. But we are ready to face the challenges of developing and protecting our city’s pride for our children and children’s children,” Braganza added.
Last March, environment and natural resources Secretary Michael Defensor and Philippine Tourism Authority Robert Ace Barbers signed an accord for the transfer of management, control and supervision, and development of the national park to the city.
Two months later, Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano and the mayor inked a memorandum of understanding for the drawing up of a Hundred Islands master plan by their respective staffs that will ensure orderly development of the national park.
Several activities were staged lately to help promote tourism not only for the city’s good but for the entire province’s as well. A triathlon open and wall climbing competition were staged as well as the first Hundred Islands cycling tour. The city also hosted the Miss Earth 2004 presentation.
On January 18, 1940, then President Manuel L. Quezon issued Proclamation No. 667 declaring the Hundred Islands as the country’s first national park. In 1974, the islands including the Lucap Bay area was transferred to the PTA.
Braganza, upon election as mayor, moved to acquire the park back for the city as its original owner. His close ties with the President, Defensor and the tourism officials who were his colleagues during his stint in the national government made the transfer possible, it was observed. (PIA/DOS with report from PNA)
Visibly ecstatic about the historic event, Mayor Hernani Braganza said the people of the city are very happy and proud that after more than six decades, the prime tourist destination finally returned to its original owner.
He thanked President Arroyo and tourism officials for making the transfer possible.
In gratitude, Braganza officially declared one of the islands as President Diosdado P. Macapagal Island in honor of the late father of President Gloria M. Arroyo.
“Hundred Islands is God’s gift to mankind, nature’s gift to Alaminos and the people of Pangasinan. (With Alaminos) getting it (HINP), comes big responsibilities. But we are ready to face the challenges of developing and protecting our city’s pride for our children and children’s children,” Braganza added.
Last March, environment and natural resources Secretary Michael Defensor and Philippine Tourism Authority Robert Ace Barbers signed an accord for the transfer of management, control and supervision, and development of the national park to the city.
Two months later, Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano and the mayor inked a memorandum of understanding for the drawing up of a Hundred Islands master plan by their respective staffs that will ensure orderly development of the national park.
Several activities were staged lately to help promote tourism not only for the city’s good but for the entire province’s as well. A triathlon open and wall climbing competition were staged as well as the first Hundred Islands cycling tour. The city also hosted the Miss Earth 2004 presentation.
On January 18, 1940, then President Manuel L. Quezon issued Proclamation No. 667 declaring the Hundred Islands as the country’s first national park. In 1974, the islands including the Lucap Bay area was transferred to the PTA.
Braganza, upon election as mayor, moved to acquire the park back for the city as its original owner. His close ties with the President, Defensor and the tourism officials who were his colleagues during his stint in the national government made the transfer possible, it was observed. (PIA/DOS with report from PNA)
