The provincial government of La Union, together with the local government units (LGUs) of its first district, showcased the emerging attractions and best practices or projects in the province during the Media Agkaysa Ronda for Information Optimization on Feb. 19 to 20.
“Agkaysa,” which means unity, is the province’s theme for its 176th founding anniversary this year.
In an interview, provincial media affairs officer Mary Joy Castillo said they coordinated with the participating LGUs for the emerging tourist destinations they want to promote.
“The destinations that we go to, the LGUs identify them. Because what the provincial government wants is that the LGUs would choose the destinations or projects they wanted to drumbeat since they have their own ideas on what should be the focus of attention of the participants,” Castillo said.
The participating LGUs include Sudipen, Bangar, Santol, Luna, Balaoan, San Gabriel, San Juan, Bacnotan, and San Fernando City.
Sudipen introduced the participants to the Top Allan Adventure Park, where visitors can enjoy the sea of clouds, sunrise, sunset, and a view of nearby mountains. It also offers camping and pre-nuptial shoots among other activities.
They also wanted to promote the bamboo-woven products, a source of livelihood for several families in the town.
Bangar showcased the traditional loom weaving in their locality and the various efforts they are conducting to encourage younger generations to sustain the tradition, such as the Inabel Academy.
Public Employment Service Officer Rodrigo Sarmiento Jr., in an interview, said the town has 600 loom weavers, 20 percent to 30 percent of whom are elderly.
“Encouraging the young remains a challenge,” he said.
Noodle-making is also an emerging industry in the town.
Santol town featured its Simminublan Falls and the famous Bilagan Road.
Mayor Lynn Wailan-Seinen said their town is rich in culture and tradition.
Luna town, famous for its Baluarte Watch Tower and Bahay na Bato at its pebble beach, recorded over 827,000 tourist arrivals in 2025.
The emerging destination it is promoting is the Camp Luna Glamping Resort, which showcases OPM memorabilia, such as guitars and award trophies of artists like Eraserheads and Parokya ni Edgar, among others.
Balaoan made use of its tobacco excise tax share to construct an international-standard covered court and an air-conditioned bus stop, both of which are solar-powered, and a playground.
San Gabriel offered a calm and peaceful stay at the picnic area of the Baroro Watershed, while Mayor Lany Carbonell discussed the other tourist attractions and the culture and tradition of their town.
San Juan showcased pottery products, as well as its church and plaza.
Bacnotan impressed the participants with its clean public market with an elevator, a lactation area for nursing mothers, and a library.
Various products are also on display at the Trade Center, where a silk weaving demo was held, and a bee farm and duck farm of a millennial was also featured.
In San Fernando City, participants visited the Ma-Cho Temple, the seaport, and the airport.
Castillo said among the considerations of the LGUs in choosing the emerging tourist attractions is the readiness of the site, the acceptability to the communities, and its impact on the environment.
“We don’t want it to be just economic gain. We also want to preserve local culture and identity, and the environment. So, it should always be balanced,” she said.
Castillo said the Agkaysa Media Ronda is anchored on the administration of Governor Mario Eduardo Ortega’s emphasis on transparency and accountability.
“Rather than just the usual press conference, rather than just the usual contents, this media immersion tour strengthens public information. It is information empowerment,” she said.
By Hilda Austria (PNA