PAOAY, Ilocos Norte, July 7 (PNA) — Tourists visiting this town’s popular tourism destinations, parks and heritage site will now be required to pay “green fees” and other charges in view of an ordinance the town council approved recently.
The collection of green fee when visiting the Paoay Sand Dunes, Culili Point and the town’s parks and heritage site, was initiated by the local government to ensure cleanliness and development of the areas, being Ilocos Norte’s popular tourist destinations.
In recent months, several construction and development initiatives by the provincial government of Ilocos Norte such as the construction of the Paseo de Paoay and Arte Luna art gallery were launched in Paoay town to attract more tourists.
These developments contributed to the influx of visitors, requiring greater maintenance of cleanliness in the area.
The approval of said ordinance is within the authority of the municipality granted under the provisions of Sections 128-139 of Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of the Philippines except however for the imposition of entrance and parking fees on the UNESCO world heritage site of Paoay Church, being a private property.
Vice Mayor Jessie Galano of Paoay town said the specific amount for the green fee collection including parking fees have yet to be fix once the implementing rules and regulations of said ordinance will be finalized.
Galano said that collection of green fees and other charges, would ensure better development, maintenance and orderliness of the eco-tourism and heritage sites.(PNA)