Billy Pegas
Ilocos Sur representative Ronald Singson asked the Department of Tourism (DOT) to promote the country as a surfing destination.
“In the Philippines, we have a number of major surfing destinations, including Siargao, Samar and other southern destinations. In Luzon, we have La Union and Baler. Many of you may not know this, but in Ilocos Sur we also have Cabugao, which is a place to surf The waves are world class,” Singson said during a discussion of the DOT budget.
Singson said that surfing is one of the fastest growing sports in the world.
In Bali, for example, tourism took off with surfing. “Its effects affected the entire tourism industry, and this is something we can also do in our country,” Solon added.
Tourism Minister Cristina Garcia Frasco said the ministry will hold a surfing summit in La Union in October in a bid to discuss how to effectively develop and promote surfing in the country.
Singson also urged the Department of Transportation to classify the Philippines as a sports tourism destination.
Solon also suggested creating an agency under the Ministry of Transportation to oversee programs and projects geared towards developing the country as a leading sports tourism destination.
“We have the Philippine Commission on Sports Diving, or PCSSD, which was set up before we saw the potential of other sports as a tourism product. If I may suggest, we should focus not only on diving, but on other sports as well. Private groups can contribute input to promote sports tourism. in the country, at no additional cost on your part,” Singson added.