Tourism Expo Winners

LINGAYEN- - - Special recognitions were given to the best tourism exhibitors and best Pangasinan products being showcased in their year’s Pangasinan Pistay Dayat’s 1^st Tourism and Trade Expo held from April 25 to May 4 at the Girl Scout of the Philippines (GSP) extension lot at the Capitol compound here.

Dubbed, ‘Aliguas ed Turismo tan Ekonomiya Awards,’ the following are the winners and runner-ups respectively of the ten-day trade exhibits and sale: Punta Riviera Delmar Resort (Bolinao), winner; Dasoland Family Adventure Park (Dasol), runner-up for the Best Tourism Exhibit, Bella’s Puto (Calasiao) and Crafter’s Joy, Best Small Medium Enterprise (SME); Alaminos City and San Carlos City, Best One Town, One Product (OTOP); JE’s Bagoong (Lingayen) and Bella”s Puto (Calasiao), Pasalubong of the Year award (Native Food); Lingayen Handicraft and Provincial Solid Waste Management Office, Pasalubong of the Year award for gifts, toys and handicrafts.

Ma. Luisa A. Elduayan, Tourism Officer and event coordinator, said that there are fifteen participating municipalities showcasing their OTOP products.

“Hopefully, by next year we will be able to invite more participants to come and present their best locally made products,” she added.

Meanwhile, Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. earlier disclosed that efforts are being done by the province to further promote domestic tourism within Pangasinan such as the conduct of this year’s sea festival which was transformed and repackaged into a province-wide celebration.

This first ever tourism expo, the governor cited, is an attempt to push not only tourism but also the local industries of the province thru the concerted efforts of the provincial government and all local government units (LGUs).

Aside from the 15 OTOP LGUs, the list of exhibitors include SME food outlets and carts, SME plants and garden, SME furniture and various booths of resorts and hotels for the tourism destinations.

The awarding ceremonies will be conducted on May 4 as the main culminating activity of the expo. (Ruby R. Bernardino)