By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the groundbreaking of the Sky Garden Project in the City of Alaminos, Pangasinan on Friday, pledging to push for new tourism infrastructure projects to attract more tourists to the province.
Marcos made the vow as he acknowledged that Pangasinan is one of the country’s top tourist destinations and is known for the quality and beauty of its tourism souvenirs, sports tourism, beach games, and hosting events.
“Hindi lamang itong Sky Garden, kundi marami pa tayong idadagdag na mga proyekto para ‘yung bumisita sa Alaminos na 500,000,” he said during the groundbreaking ceremony.
“Paabutin na natin ng isang milyon ‘yan bago tayo matapos para naman gumanda ang ekonomiya hindi lamang Alaminos, hindi lamang sa distrito, kundi sa buong probinsiya, kasama na rin diyan ang lahat ng mga probinsya na malapit sa inyo.”
The President instructed the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) to make sure that the Sky Garden Project is “senior-friendly.”
He also expressed hope that the Sky Garden would attract more visitors and open more job opportunities for the locals, “Kailangang hindi sila mahirapan umakyat para ma-enjoy nila ang mga garden na ito. Kaya sa TIEZA, tulungan ninyo po ang pamahalaang lungsod ng Alaminos upang mapabilis at maisaayos ang pagtatayo nito.”
Funded by the TIEZA, the Sky Garden Project features elevated green spaces filled with various plant species, walkways, seating areas, and interactive zones designed to promote public engagement and cultural exchange.
It will also include parking facilities, a shopping center, a multi-purpose hall, and viewing decks offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes.
Sustainable design features, such as passive cooling systems, have been incorporated to support the city’s environmental goals.
The Sky Garden is expected to complement the city’s vibrant faith-based tourism, particularly around the Pilgrimage Islands of the Hundred Islands National Park.
The project will also enable visitors to enjoy enhanced culinary experiences, scenic overlooks of the sun and sea, and improved access to the nearby eight-hectare Mangrove Eco-Park.
This will provide entrepreneurs space to set up cafés, souvenir shops, and eco-friendly tour services.
It is projected to support about 30 concessionaires and generate approximately 200 jobs for the community.
