Ilagan City, Isabela, has secured the ASEAN Cleanest Tourist City title for the third straight year, earning Hall of Fame recognition from the Department of Tourism (DOT) over the weekend.
The latest distinction adds to the city’s growing list of tourism-related achievements as it continues to position itself as a hub for tourism, sports and entertainment in Northern Luzon. City officials attributed the recognition to programs focused on maintaining a clean environment while strengthening tourism activities.
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Ilagan Gains Multiple Honors in First Dayaw Awards
The city’s latest recognition came alongside several honors at the first Dayaw Regional Excellence Awards organized by the DOT. The awarding rites were held Friday night at the Isabela Convention Center in Cauayan City.
Ilagan received the Cultural Heritage Preservation Award (city level), Outstanding LGU in Tourism Development (city level), and Tourism Innovation and Digital Transformation award.
Several individuals from the city and its institutions were also recognized. Mayor Jay Diaz received the Tourism Champion in public sector award, while Cristina Simon was named ATOP Most Outstanding Tourism Officer. Chester Ivan Lim of Isabela State University (ISU) Ilagan was recognized as Tourism Youth Sector champion, while Alfonso Simon of ISU received the Tourism Champion in the academe award.
Mayor Diaz credited the city’s tourism personnel and residents for the accomplishments. “This is more of a collective effort shown by our fellow Ilagueños,” he said.
He also highlighted the role of the local tourism office in bringing residents into the city’s tourism efforts. “I would also like to give the credit to our tourism department for the ability to inspire our people in achieving certain tasks,” Diaz said.
“Our tourism officer [Maria Cristina Simon] has been the catalyst of this success and also the cooperation of our local folks in winning this award for the third straight year,” he added.
Tourism Gains Anchored on Long-Term City Plans
The recognition comes as Ilagan also seeks another distinction in the business sector. The city is vying to become the most business-friendly city for the third straight year at the upcoming 52nd Philippine Business Conference and Expo.
The LGU is one title away from becoming a Hall of Famer in category 2 and was included in the short list of candidates alongside Biñan, Calamba, General Trias, and Santa Rosa.
Diaz said the latest ASEAN recognition should encourage the city to sustain its efforts across different areas of governance and development. “We were so busy this week in different areas of services, and just recently, we also have a child-friendly and business-friendly competitions evaluation,” he said.
“These things are just a way of life of the City of Ilagan. This is part of our 10-year development plan, our road map to the future, which includes having Ilagan in becoming Ilagan a livable city in 2030,” Diaz said.
Vice Mayor Jayve Diaz said local policies are also being used to reinforce the city’s tourism agenda, including investments in sports and tourism facilities.
“What we’re doing in the council is to strengthen our tourism programs through policy. All the directives being given by the executive department are always guided by our policies in sports tourism, budget appropriations for facilities such as the Capital Arena for sports, and Abuan River and Ilagan Sanctuary for tourism,” the vice mayor said.
Ilagan’s recognition shows how tourism awards can reflect more than visitor attractions. Clean surroundings, preserved heritage, public facilities, and sustained local participation all influence how a city is experienced by residents and visitors, making these efforts part of the wider quality of life and economic activity in Northern Luzon.
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