The Department of Tourism (DOT) and its infrastructure arm, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), recently inaugurated a new Tourist Rest Area (TRA) in Brooke’s Point, Palawan.
Brooke’s Point Mayor Cesareo Benedito Jr. who joined Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco in the inauguration of the second TRA in Palawan, expressed his gratitude to the DOT.
Benedicto said the newly inaugurated TRA in their town is a source of inspiration, considering that the town is heavily dependent on agriculture as a primary source of livelihood.
“Marami pong tourist destinations dito sa Bayan ng Brooke’s Point.”
“Kami po ay talagang sa agriculture nabubuhay. Iyan po ang pinagkukunan ng aming mga kababayan. Bagaman gusto po namin pagdating ng araw na ang bayan po ng Brooke’s Point ay makilala rin po at magkaroon din po kami ng source of income doon sa turismo na nakikita ko naman po, marami pong tourist destinations dito sa Bayan ng Brooke’s Point,” the mayor said.
Nestled in the resource-rich south part of the province, the TRA in Brooke’s Point is specifically located at the People’s Park in Barangay Pangobilian, which serves as a gateway to nearby municipalities like Bataraza, Balabac, and Sofronio Española, which are home to destinations such as Capayas Island, Onok Island, and Labog Hot Spring.
The TRA provides tourists basic services and amenities such as information center, clean restroom, lounge and charging station, lactation room for breastfeeding mothers, and a pasalubong center showcasing local products from Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), to make travel more convenient. In line with the DOT’s sustainability thrust, the facility also features solar-powered roofing and rainwater-harvesting systems.
“Noong nandiyan na po iyan ay talagang buhay na buhay ang bayan ng Brooke’s Point.”
“At ito pong pagkakaroon ng Tourist Rest Area dito ay ito po ay isang malaking inspirasyon. Malaki pong pagbabago sa ekonomiya po ng ating bayan dahil ngayon pa lamang po ay marami nang pumupunta diyan sa Tourist Rest Area na kung saan po ay tinitingnan po nila o kung bago sila pumunta doon sa ibang bayan, diyan po sila dumadaan sa TRA na iyan. Kaya noong nandiyan na po iyan ay talagang buhay na buhay ang bayan ng Brooke’s Point,” he explained.
The Brooke’s Point TRA is accessible to nearby natural and cultural attractions including Sabsaban Falls, Magellan-Elcano Voyage Historical Marker, as well as weaving centers, Taking Buat Tipoh Weaving Centers and Sublit Labin Handicraft.
“Kaya Madame Secretary, maraming salamat po at ang Bayan po ng Brooke’s Point na inyo pong tinangkilik na lagyan po ng TRA dahil hindi lang tataas ang ekonomiya, pati po ang aming mga kababayan na sila po ay mayroon hanapbuhay, mayroon na po silang paglalagyan [ng kanilang paninda],” the mayor added.
