San Fabian wants PTA-owned resorts

SAN FABIAN, Pangasinan — The municipal government here wants the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA)-owned and operated resorts so that "the national government could realize savings of around P5 million every year for its subsidy."

Mayor Mojamito Libunao told newsmen that he is now seeking the endorsement of House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr., whose jurisdiction as Pangasinan’s fourth district representative covers this town, for this move before he submits his request to the PTA management.

Aside from the P5 million savings of the PTA for the operation of the beach resort, Libunao said that once his proposal materializes, PTA would be spared from incurring additional capital investment needed to arrest the deterioration of the properties and in order to enhance its competitiveness.

The PTA Resorts here, located in Barangay Bolasi, cover about 20 hectares that include the Presidential Rest House built during the time of the late President Ferdinand Marcos and has a net revenue of P9 million a year.

"Financially, we can operate it as a viable business enterprise and we might even generate revenues from it," Libunao said.

Libunao said the PTA resort is not only a business enterprise but a vital factor in the growth and development of his town.

With 12 barangays inhabited by more than 20,000 people living along the beach here, Libunao added that tourism is a major economic and social force.

He said that the resort is central to their tourism development program and it is at the forefront of the plan in their town. "Our people therefore has a bigger stake in the operation of the resort than anybody else," he said.

He said that he believes the resort would benefit from their operation as more than 85 per cent of the resorts’ revenues is derived from locally-generated sales.

No less than President Arroyo is receptive to this idea which Libunao said he had broached to her in several earlier meetings with her. Once it pushes through, the terms and arrangements for its management would be similar to the PTA Resort in Lingayen town now under the provincial government and the PTA-owned Dagupan Poolside and Restaurant in Dagupan City which has been turned over to the city government.