First Ever Modified Eco-Friendly Tourist Rest Area to rise in Bicol Region

From left to right: TIEZA OIC Assistant Chief Operating Officer Jeoffrey Macalalad, Tabaco City Mayor Cielo Krisel Lagman, DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, Vice Governor Glenda Ong Bongao, and DOT Regional Office V Director Herbie Aguas sign the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the sustainable Tourist Rest Area (TRA) in Tabaco City.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) marked a significant advancement for Bicol's tourism sector with the groundbreaking and signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the region's inaugural Tourist Rest Area (TRA), led by Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Tabaco City Mayor Cielo Krisel Lagman.

This was the first TRA in the Philippines to receive the modifications of the flagship tourist facility being constructed by the DOT, through the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) across strategic locations, with features of solar panel roofing, a rainwater harvesting system, among other eco-friendly features.

The ceremonies took place on Wednesday (July 31) at the picturesque Hiraya Manawari Nature Park, which boasts stunning views of the iconic Mayon Volcano.