Capitol-funded TRAs will be solar powered

CEBU, Philippines — All Tourist Rest Areas (TRA) constructed by the Cebu provincial government will be powered by solar energy.

June Ilyn Terado, acting chief of the Provincial Planning and Development Office, said the Capitol is building 10 TRAs across the province. The first Capitol-funded tourist center is set to open on December 3, 2024 in Barangay Pandacan, Pinamungajan.

The center is constructed on a 1,322.2-square meter property. It will feature various amenities like pasalubong centers, charging stations, lounge, mini-food court, coffee shops, and clean restrooms, among others, to ensure convenience for local and foreign tourists who would wish to rest while having their tour around the province.

“We’re so lucky and blessed kay dako kaayo ning impact dili lang sa Pinamungajan but sa tanan nga mobisita sa south kay nindot kaayo ang facility,” said Pinamungajan Mayor Jessica Baricuatro in a Sugbo News report.

Baricautro added that they plan to transfer the town’s bus terminal from Poblacion to Pandacan to maximize the use of the facility.

Aside from Pinamungajan, the Capitol is also building TRAs in Bogo City, Madridejos, Santander, Dumanjug, Balamban, Pilar, Poro, Tudela, and San Francisco in Camotes Island. The Capitol has earmarked P8 million for each TRA to be constructed.

These centers are Capitol’s counterpart of the TRAs constructed by the Department of Tourism in the province. Earlier, Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia promised that the Capitol will match the number of TRAs the DOT built in Cebu. – /FPL (FREEMAN)