STO. TOMAS—The Department of Tourism said that it is continuously helping promote tourism in the province of Pangasinan, the largest province in the whole Ilocos Region.

DOT Regional Director Martin Valera told newsmen that only last week, he turned over a check to bankroll the redevelopment of a swimming pool in Asingan town put up during the reign of then President Fidel Ramos.

A couple of years back, he said, the DOT was in the forefront of promoting trekking t from San Nicolas in the eastern part of the province all the way to Benguet.

He added that that in central Pangasinan, which has several malls, schools and universities, DOT is promoting the business side of tourism.

Aside from these, Valera said, his department is promoting pilgrimage tour to the Manaoag church, the religious center in the whole of Pangasinan, located in the central part of the province.

He said DOT at the same time is helping promote the beaches in Western Pangasinan, as well as the Hundred Islands in Alaminos City.

Valera lauded the Local Government Unit of Alaminos headed by Mayor Hernani Braganza for actively promoting the Hundred Islands.

He said in the Hundred Islands, DOT has joined the Alaminos City government, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the New Zealand government in training out-of-school youths to become kayak operators.

“I’m trying to invite people to Alaminos to experience and learn how to kayak. It’s good experience and at the same time, visitors will be helping the business of out-of-school youth. (PNA)