By Ahikam Pasion
MANAOAG—Mayor Jeremy Rosario said the local government plans to upgrade the Manaoag Public Market to boost the town’s economy and better manage the steady influx of visitors.
Rosario noted that Manaoag continues to attract large numbers of local and foreign visitors who spend on food, souvenirs, and local products.
To meet growing demand, the town plans to improve the market’s cleanliness, organization, facilities, and parking areas.
He acknowledged that encouraging visitors to stay longer remains a challenge. To address this, several hotel projects are in the pipeline, with two new hotels expected to rise as existing accommodations are often fully booked, especially during peak pilgrimage periods.
The mayor added that the local government is urging investors to hire 65 to 70 percent local residents to ensure tourism-related economic gains directly benefit the community.