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| Welcome to La Union |
La Union is one of the most scenic and progressive provinces in the country. A major gateway to Region 1 ( Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur ) and the Cordillera Autonomous Region. Its capital city of San Fernando, is also the capital of Region 1, where all the important government offices are located. Region 1 is mainly the Ilocano-speaking region of the country.
With the on-going construction of the new Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway ( TPLEX ) and rehabilitation of the old PNR railway (North Luzon Railway project)*, and with both projects terminating in La Union, future developments are expected in the province. Residential, hotel/resorts, commercial and mall developments, BPO/Call Center facilities and transportation transit terminals are expected to rise in the areas around and near the north-end train terminal station of the North Luzon Railway project, and likewise, where the TPLEX Rosario Exit ends.
In San Fernando City where Poro Point is located, the BCDA is presently developing the former American Military Base-into a prime mixed-use tourist/recreation/resort/gaming, a special economic and free-port zone.
With the closing of the Laoakan Airport in Baguio City, more passengers and increase in air traffic are expected of the San Fernando Airport, also in Poro Point. It would soon become a major domestic airport in Northern Luzon. But San Fernando Airport should be rehabilitated and improved, and the runway upgraded to accommodate bigger aircrafts. This development would be a big advantage to the province and would have the potential of making San Fernando City the air transportation hub of Northern Luzon.
Poro Point could also provide the port infrastructure for the province.
Complementing the economic infrastructure and the geographical advantage of La Union province, are the dynamic developments in the neighboring provinces of : Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur and nearby Baguio City/Benguet. These provinces are basically tourist magnets where major tourist destinations are located e.g., Alaminos-Hundred Islands, Manaoag, Bolinao, San Fabian, Vigan City, Laoag City, Pagudpud, Fort Ilocandia , etc. La Union itself is the Surfers' Mecca of Northern Luzon, and is now becoming a resort/entertainment/gaming haven with the construction of Thunderbird Hotel and Casino at Poro Point. La Union being a coastal province has beautiful beaches with scuba diving, sailing and surfing facilities. It also has many historical sites and old churches, and other attractions for tourism.
Real estate developments are also booming in the region. Major developers are presently putting up residential, condominium and mall/commercial projects in different parts of the region with developers like Robinson Land Corp, Villar Group and SMDC leading these developments.
With all modes of transportation infrastructures (road, air, railway and sea) available, expect La Union province to grab a bigger share of future investments and developments in the region. It has all the necessary components for a big economic boom, including the very important human resources. La Union and Baguio City being educational centers with good schools to boast, could provide the educated and skilled human resources needed by companies and business locators.
The proximity of Hongkong, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia and China to La Union/San Fernando City would be a big factor in making it an international travel and business destination in the near future, like Cebu.
If all the necessary infrastructures would soon be completed and upgraded, particularly the airport and the roads, my fearless forecast : La Union is the next big thing!
*Note :
The North Luzon Railway Project was stopped and later cancelled in March 2011 due to some anomaly in the contract.
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| Region 1 |
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