VM Dungca pushes tourism in Bacolor
By Joey Pavia
BACOLOR, Pampanga — Vice Mayor Ron Earvin E. Dungca said he is pushing to promote tourism in their town to generate income for local businesses and the Local Government Unit (LGU).
“Bacolor is an ideal spot for tourism and other activities, most notably for weddings. It all starts with the exchanging of vows at the San Guillermo Parish Church,” Dungca said in an interview.
Known as the “Sunken Church,” the Baroque-style church is also regarded as one of the largest Roman Catholic churches in the country.
The two-term vice mayor added: “After the wedding, couples now celebrate and hold their receptions at any of the resorts in Bacolor.”
Dungca said the town is gradually becoming a haven for private resorts. He revealed that the local government, led by Mayor Diman Datu, is set to develop a new tourism park in Barangay San Vicente.
Dungca, who is also the president of the Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines–Pampanga Chapter, said the tourism park is part of the LGU’s initiatives to boost the town’s tourism potential.
“Private resorts have been growing in number in recent years in Bacolor. However, some of them are not registered,” he noted.
Dungca urged owners of private resorts to register their businesses to ensure the safety of the community.
He commended the privately-owned Nuan Farm Resort in Barangay San Vicente as one of the best examples of a regulated and duly registered resort.
Bacolor was classified as a First-Class Municipality in December last year, which Dungca described as a major development that should be leveraged to further boost the town and encourage economic growth.
Dungca added that Bacolor is rich in history, art, and culture, having once served as the temporary capital of the Philippines. It is also known as the “Athens of the Philippines” because of its skilled sculptors and artisans.
He said they plan to collaborate with Pampanga State University to involve the youth in tourism development.
A variety of events are also lined up in the town, including the La Naval de Bacolor Fiesta, Makatapak Festival, Mutya ning Bacolor, and cooking competitions, among others.
