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By: Joy Ann L. Gurtiza, GPC-LUPTO | Photos By: Bike Bros La Union | Date: November 19, 2021
After series of workshops and mapping activities conducted to identify and develop potential sites for the bike and nature tourism circuits, the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) in collaboration with the Department of Tourism β Region 1 (DOT-R1) officially launched the Bike and Nature Trail Tourism in the province on November 19, 2021 as part of the Immersion Tour during the Region 1 Tourism Convention.
The first leg of the launching was held in Eco Park of Agoo, La Union featuring a bike trail suitable for beginners. The second leg of the launching was held in the Municipality of San Juan and the City of San Fernando featuring trails suitable for amateur and professional bikers. The trail traverses the San Juan By-Pass Road going to ELYUnity Mountain Bike (MTB) Trails in Barangay Baraoas, San Fernando City.
During the ceremonial launching held at the Agoo Eco-Park, DOT Regional Director Joseph Francisco R. Ortega extended his heartfelt appreciation to the PGLU led by Gov. Francisco Emmanuel βPacoyβ R. Ortega III and all the concerned LGUs of La Union for their commendable hard work and continued support to the initiatives of DOT-R1.
For his part, Gov. Pacoy likewise expressed his gratitude to all the participants of the event. βI truly appreciate this initiative as I see it as one of the ways that our region can capitalize on sustainable economic development opportunities while maintaining good lifestyle," he said.
Others present during the program were DOT Assistant Secretary for Tourism Development Woodrow C. Maquiling, Jr., Second District Representative Sandra Y. Eriguel, Agoo Vice-Mayor Henry B. Balbin, LUPTO Officer-in-Charge Arthur S. Cortez, Jr., and convention delegates from the provinces of Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte.
Highlight of the event is a bike exhibition wherein delegates and other visitors had the opportunity to see unique bike designs and try out the bicycles. The immersion tour was held coinciding with the Bike Bros La Unionβs Long Jump Friendly Competition.
Other identified locations for the bike and nature trails in the province include the LGUs of Santo Tomas and Aringay in the South Tourism Circuit; Bacnotan and San Gabriel which also belong in the Central Tourism Circuit; Bauang, Naguilian and Bagulin of Central Eastern Tourism Circuit; Sudipen, Bangar and Santol of Northern Tourism Circuit; and Rosario and Tubao of the South Eastern Tourism Circuit.
The Bike Tourism project is a collaborative effort of the PGLU and DOT-R1 to develop new tourism products and encourage domestic tourism traffic not only in the province but also in the entire region towards positioning La Union as a secure, self-sufficient and sustainable Province for its people.
