THE first of its kind Chinatown in Dagupan City proposed by the local Filipino-Chinese community will soon be a reality.

Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. said he is open to the proposal but he and members of the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce will still have to sit down together to formally discuss the project.

Proposed to be converted as little Chinatown of Dagupan City is Rizal Street which is already the location of many establishments owned by Filipino-Chinese, which include two Chinese schools and a Chinese chapel.

“That is good. We have many Dagupeños, business leaders and Filipinos. Though their parents or ancestors came from China, by birth and by integration, they are as Filipinos as we are,” Fernandez said.

Fernandez was former immigration commissioner.

He added that he is open to the idea of setting up of Chinatown because this will showcase Dagupan’s eco-tourism potential and help enhance its socio-economic development.

By being publicly known as the location of Chinese restaurants and source of good products, the Chinatown is expected to attract more tourists, diners and shoppers, the mayor said.

Rizal Street is the location of the city’s first Chinese chapel, the Filipino-Chinese Charity Foundation which is open to people who would like to learn the Chinese dialect and also value formation.

It is also the location of the school, the Pangasinan Universal Institute; Botica China, Divine Word Academy of Dagupan, St. Therese Church, Lennox Hotel as well as the Iglesia Ni Cristo church in the far end.