In a significant boost to Antique’s tourism, a groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of construction for a new PHP10 million Tourist Rest Area (TRA) in the upland Barangay Aningalan, San Remigio. The event, held on November 21, 2024, was led by Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, who emphasized the TRA’s role in enhancing tourist convenience with amenities like clean restrooms, a coffee shop, and a souvenir store, all accessible at no cost.
Frasco highlighted that the TRA project is a part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s initiatives. She also noted that the facility was requested by Senator Loren Legarda to stimulate the local tourism industry. Frasco projected that the TRA would yield a tenfold return on investment, benefiting not only the immediate area but also surrounding regions.
Local government units in Antique are encouraged to apply for similar facilities through Senator Legarda and Representative Antonio Agapito Legarda. San Remigio was selected as the initial site due to its suitable land availability, with plans to establish another TRA in the northern part of the province.
San Remigio’s Mayor Margarito Mission envisions transforming the 2.6-hectare TRA site into a multifunctional event center for tourism-related activities and significant events. The area, known as ‘Little Baguio’ for its cool climate and scenic mountains, attracted about 3,000 visitors last summer, a number expected to rise with the new facilities.
A Memorandum of Agreement was signed by Frasco, Rep. Legarda, and Mayor Mission, ensuring the local government’s role in maintaining and operating the TRA.