[ Manila Bulletin Online ] November 3, 2008
National government agencies and local government units (LGUs) have forged a partnership with the private sector to boost the country’s tourism industry.
This crucial partnership is an evident display in the upcoming North Philippines Tourism and Travel Expo 2008.
The event, also called the NorthPhil Expo, is slated from Nov. 14 to 16, this year at the Event Center of SM City Clark in the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga.
It will be presented by the Department of Tourism’s offices in Region 1 (Ilocos), Region 2 (Cagayan Valley), Region 3 (Central Luzon), and the Cordillera Administrative Region.
The expo organizers said the four regions make up a contiguous land mass of northern Philippines. Although these areas are mostly unexplored, they have many rich and unspoiled cultural treasures.
North Philippines boasts of fine beaches, underground caves, lush forests, and pristine rivers that are perfect for eco-tourism ventures.
Northern Luzon has also many unique culinary specialties such as the "pinikpikan," "bagnet," and "papaitan."
It is also home to indigenous mountain tribes, whose folk beliefs and practices never fail to amaze lowland visitors and travelers, the organizers said.
To tap all these unique tourism and travel destinations, the DoT and the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) have joined hands with local government units and the private sector for a one-stop showcase event, which is the NorthPhil Expo 2008.
The event has drawn the participation from the provincial governments of Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac and Zambales as well as the city governments of Angeles, Olongapo, Tarlac and San Jose del Monte and the municipality of San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija.
