Kabankalan: The Department of Tourism (DOT) will open tourist rest areas (TRAs) in the cities of Kabankalan and Sipalay in southern Negros Occidental as part of the agency's infrastructure support for key destinations in Negros Island Region. Sipalay City supervising tourism officer Jerick Lacson mentioned in an interview that they are currently complying with requirements and awaiting the conduct of soil boring tests before construction can proceed.

According to Philippines News Agency, the proposed location for the Sipalay City TRA is at Poblacion Beach, making it accessible to visitors. Last month, representatives from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority conducted an inspection and assessment of the proposed site for the TRA. Meanwhile, the Kabankalan TRA, the first in Western Visayas, is set for inauguration on August 28, as stated by the city's tourism office. The facility in Barangay Hilamonan is envisioned to offer a safe, clean, and convenient stopover for travelers in the city and surrounding areas.

Initiatives such as the TRAs were among the priorities discussed during a meeting between Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, Sixth District Rep. Mercedes Alvarez, and Sipalay City Mayor Maria Gina Lizares at the DOT central office in Makati City. Alvarez expressed gratitude to Frasco for the DOT's support to her district, which includes the cities of Kabankalan and Sipalay, as well as the municipalities of Ilog, Candoni, Cauayan, and Hinoba-an, all being positioned as premier destinations in the region.

In a news release, the DOT stated that the meeting between Frasco and the Negrense officials focused on exploring development opportunities and identifying areas for collaboration to further enhance the province's tourism sector. Under the Marcos administration, the agency 'continues to champion initiatives that advance regional connectivity, sustainable tourism, and infrastructure support across the Negros Island Region,' it added.