The picturesque Paoay Lake in Ilocos Norte is poised for a significant upgrade, thanks to a PHP180 million investment approved by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA). This funding will kickstart a development project aimed at enhancing the lake’s appeal to tourists and creating new job opportunities for the local community.
The project, confirmed by Ilocos Norte’s tourism officer Ianree Raquel, will commence this year. It includes the construction of three viewing stations around the expansive 387-hectare lake. These stations will cater to tourists interested in bird watching and enjoying non-motorized boat rides.
The first station, dubbed the Paoay Lake Central Station, will feature a tourist center, cottages, a retention wall, a floating dock, and facilities for parking and embankment. The second station will include a clubhouse and boathouse, also equipped with a floating dock. The third station will be dedicated to bird watching and will showcase a pinakbet farm and an esplanade.
Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc emphasized the importance of this development for sustainable tourism. He stated during a media interview at the Capitol that the project will activate the lake and significantly enhance the region’s tourism offerings. To further attract international visitors, particularly from Korea, Japan, and China, plans are underway to reopen the 18-hole golf course in Barangay Suba and a casino at Fort Ilocandia.
The province anticipates an increase in foreign arrivals, especially with the resumption of international flights at Laoag Airport. Paoay Lake’s development is part of a broader strategy to promote tourism in Ilocos Norte, which also includes promoting other attractions like the Bangui Windmills, Saud Beach in Pagudpud, and the UNESCO-listed St. Augustine Church in Paoay.