INCUMBENT Magalang town Mayor Malu Paras Lacson on Friday, April 5, disclosed that the local government is working on various programs to develop the agricultural municipality into a tourist destination.
Lacson revealed this during a meeting with officers and members of the Capampangan In Media Incorporated (CAMI) at the Bale Balita Friday.
"Since our major plans were completed, we will now push for tourism in Magalang because the town really possess [natural] beauty," Lacson said in Kapampangan.
Many farmlots were sold to Taiwanese investors who establish economic zones and a bulk of agricultural lands perished, according to the mayor.
"Since [agriculture] is our economic driver, we have to find some ways to compensate our economic losses," she added.
Local officials have seen tourism as the town's big potential.
"Tourism have risen and since we built the heritages already and that three sites - municipal hall, church, and mimeograph tower - were declared as important cultural properties by the National Museum. We will start from there," Lacson said.
A cultural mapping and inventory of possible tourism sites were conducted in line with the tourism program, she added.
"So we are working towards responsible community based tourism," Lacson said.
In connection with the tourism program, Lacson said the local government is now prepared for the observance of the Holy Week when thousands of pilgrims will visit the town's Banal A Bunduk (Holy Mountain).
The local government has coordinated with the Soroptimist International in Pampanga and the Philippines National Police to secure the people during the pilgrimage, the mayor added.