Skip to content

Philippines Today

home of the Global Filipino

Menu
  • News Stories
  • Regional News
  • Business & Economy
  • Science & Technology
  • International
Menu

GMA opens flagship resort

Posted on May 30, 2008

PHILIPPINE NEWS SERVICE — President Arroyo will formally open today the first phase of a P5-billion resort that is meant to put La Union at the world map of major tourist destinations.

The Poro Point project, a major venture of California-based Thunderbird Resorts Inc., will help spur the growth of the North Luzon Quadrangle, according to a Palace statement.

President Arroyo is expected to lead in unveiling the Thunderbird Resort-Poro Point Hotel and Golf Course marker.

On hand to welcome Mrs. Arroyo are Aloysius Santos, chairman of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority; Narciso Abaya, BCDA president and chief executive; Thunderbird Resorts’ chief executive for Philippine operations Raul Sueiro; La Union Gov. Manuel Ortega;

Rep. Victor Ortega; San Fernando Mayor Pablo Ortega; and members of the board of BCDA and its subsidiary, Poro Point Management Corp.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said that Poro Point, a former US military air station, would be transformed into a prime tourist drawer in La Union and in the whole of Northern Luzon over the next five years.

Abaya said with the tourism infrastructure in place, Poro Point will attract both local and foreign tourists. “Increased tourist spending will augur well for the economy of La Union,” Abaya said.

Thunderbird Resorts has set a five-year timetable within which to complete the 65-hectare Mediterranean- inspired resort. The resort is expected to create 10,000 jobs for local residents and will generate more than P500 million in yearly income for the government. Thunderbird has a commitment to source at least 85 percent of its workforce from San Fernando City and the Province of La Union.

Prior to the completion of the hotel and golf course in Poro Point, Thunderbird already operates a 75-seat fine dining restaurant and entertainment complex.

With Thunderbird’s all-out pursuit of its program to develop Poro Point into an “ideal tourist destination,” complemented by BCDA’s upgrading of the San Fernando Airport to ensure easier access to Poro Point, trade and commerce in San Fernando and its neighboring areas are likely to increase significantly.

Thunderbird has leased some 65.5 hectares of land in the Poro Point Freeport Zone that it is developing into a leisure resort, sports, entertainment and tourism complex.

Thunderbird has so far infused some P700 million in the development of the Poro Point over the past three years. Thunderbird has pledged to invest $100 million over a 25-year period. It has also contributed P55 million for the upgrade of the San Fernando Airport that is expected to enable it to accommodate larger aircraft like Airbus 320 and Boeing 737. The expansion project is slated for completion by year-end.

Thunderbird director for marketing Cheryl Arnold said the resort features 36 well-appointed luxury suites. Each of the hotel’s 45-square-meter suite comes with exclusive amenities such as double-sized beds, a walk-in closet, a bathroom with separate shower and hot tub, hi-speed wireless Internet, iPod with docking station and surround sound system, coffee and tea maker, in-room electronic safe, and a balcony that offers breathtaking view of the South China Sea.

The Cliffs Golf Course, on the other hand, is a nine-hole, par 72 all-weather championship golf course, designed by the International Management Group and maintained by Sta. Elena Properties Inc.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • More
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit

Related

News Categories

  • Announcement (34)
  • Business & Economy (1,567)
  • Comment and Opinion (74)
    • Random Thoughts (18)
  • Current Issues (425)
    • Charter Change (1)
    • Election (228)
    • Population (6)
  • International (389)
  • Life In Japan (66)
    • Everything Japan (41)
  • Literary (34)
  • Miscellaneous (610)
  • News Stories (5,312)
  • OFW Corner (297)
  • Others (75)
  • People (408)
  • Press Releases (163)
  • Regional News (3,362)
  • Science and Technology (502)
  • Sports & Entertainment (287)

Latest News

  • BSP keeps policy rates anew December 17, 2015
  • NEDA cuts PHL additional rice import for 2016 by 25% December 17, 2015
  • DA cites serious implications of banning genetically modified products December 17, 2015
  • BBL is not yet dead – Drilon December 17, 2015
  • Comelec recognizes Duterte’s CoC for president December 17, 2015
  • NEDA chief sees 2015 growth at 6% despite typhoons December 17, 2015
  • House of Representatives ratifies bicam report on P3.002-T national budget for 2016 December 17, 2015
  • Cebu-based developer invests PHP430M to build 709 townhouse units in north Cebu town December 17, 2015
  • City gov’t eyes P75-M income from economic enterprise December 17, 2015
  • Baguio City LGU presents traffic plan for holiday season December 17, 2015

Archives

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Science and Technology

  • DOST-ICTO targets 500,000 web-based workers from countryside by 2016
  • (Feature) STARBOOKS: A ‘makeover’ for librarians
  • Science, research reduce ‘cocolisap’ hotspot areas in PHL
  • Montejo to further improve PAGASA and empower scientists
  • 1st PPP in biomedical research produces knee replacement system fit for Asians

Press Releases

  • Microsoft to buy Nokia’s mobile devices business for 5.44-B euros
  • New World Bank climate change report should spur SEA and world leaders into action: Greenpeace
  • Save the Philippine Seas before it’s too late — Greenpeace
  • Palanca Awards’ last call for entries
  • Philippines joins the global call for Arctic protection

Comment and Opinion

  • Remembering the dead is a celebration of life
  • Killer earthquake unlikely to hit Panay Island in near future – analyst
  • It’s not just more fun to invest in the Philippines, it is also profitable, says President Aquino
  • How does one differentiate a tamaraw from a carabao?
  • Fun is not just about the place, it is also about the people, says DOT chief

OFW Corner

  • Ebola infection risk low in Croatia
  • Death toll rises to 41, over 100 still missing in landslide in India
  • Asbestos use in construction a labor hazard
  • 500,000 OFWs to benefit POEA on-line transactions — Baldoz
  • 25 distressed OFWs return home from Riyadh
©2025 Philippines Today | Design: Newspaperly WordPress Theme