Manaoag: A pasalubong (souvenir) center, trade and investment facility, new road, and public market are among the ongoing infrastructure projects in Pangasinan's faith tourism capital, Manaoag town, that are expected to provide a better visitor experience and more economic opportunities for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
According to Philippines News Agency, Manaoag Mayor Jeremy Rosario announced that the provincial government has acquired a four-hectare property near the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Rosary of Manaoag, where a trade center featuring an intermodal bus terminal, government offices, and a small convention center is currently under construction.
Mayor Rosario highlighted the development of a 26-meter wide boulevard-style road, which will serve as an alternate route to Baguio City, complete with parking spaces and designated areas for vendors. This initiative aims to organize the vendors of religious items who currently operate along the national highway.
Governor Ramon Guico III emphasized that the new facility will provide MSMEs an opportunity to initially market their products domestically and, with proper training, globally. "That's our plan there. The construction has already started," Guico stated, noting the interconnectedness with various bypass roads.
Moreover, the PHP14-million Pasalubong Center adjacent to the minor basilica is slated for completion by the first quarter of 2026, coinciding with the Centennial Coronation Celebration of the Our Lady of Rosary of Manaoag. The project, initiated in July 2024, received an initial PHP4 million in funding, with an additional PHP10 million allocated this year.
The renovation and rehabilitation of Rizal Park, funded with PHP20 million under the General Appropriations Act of 2025, is another significant project. Mayor Rosario described it as an open park designed for community gatherings.
The construction of a new public market, expected to be completed by mid-2026, aims to offer a clean, orderly shopping environment with ample parking, enhancing the town's appeal as a destination for visitors seeking local goods.
Manaoag is also the beneficiary of the Pangasinan Link Expressway (PLEX), a joint venture between the provincial government and San Miguel Corporation, which will connect the east and west portions of Pangasinan. The first interchange or tollgate will be located in Manaoag, potentially increasing tourist traffic.
To accommodate the anticipated rise in visitors, Rosario expressed plans to attract investors to develop family resorts and hotels. "We have one now, fully booked hotel every weekend. It seems this is the golden era of Manaoag," he remarked, stressing the need for facilities that encourage longer visitor stays.
With 5.78 million tourists in 2024, Manaoag remains the most visited destination in Pangasinan, underscoring its status as a key faith tourism hub in the region.
