Ligao City eyed as tourism hub under ‘Global Albay’ vision

Ligao City is aiming to become a major tourism destination by attracting government investments in infrastructure and facilities and developing agri-ecotourism programs.

This comes as Albay Second District Representative Joey Salceda envisions Ligao City as the primary center of economic development in the district, with tourism as a key program alongside agriculture.

Ligao City, the newest of the seven cities in the Bicol region and the second largest in land area, has a population of about 111,000. Currently classified as a fourth-class city, its economy is largely based on agriculture.

Salceda, who authored the Cityhood of Ligao during a previous term as Albay Third District congressman, highlighted the city's natural beauty.

“The overwhelming advantage of Albay’s third district with Ligao City at the center, is its natural beauty… it offers a scenic view of the province’s three volcanoes: Mounts Masaraga, Malinao and Mayon,” said Salceda.

Located in the center of the Albay west coast, Ligao is surrounded by ports, beaches, caves, rivers, and other natural attractions. Salceda noted the “immense potentials that need to be pursued, considering that the west coast is the most economically underdeveloped area of Albay.”

Salceda has already initiated major road projects linking Ligao with key areas of the province, including the Albay West Coast Road and Ligao-Pioduran Road. His future plans include creating a new network of tourism roads called the Ligao Tourism Circuit, connecting resorts, a provincial campsite, parks, highlands, and beaches.

He also aims to promote Ligao’s cultural heritage, native products like its famous “puto” (rice cake) and “makapuno” (sweet coconut) industries, and explore new products from local farms and cottage industries.

Salceda suggested that wind farms could be built in Barangay Tiongson, potentially becoming a tourist attraction similar to those in Bangui, Ilocos Norte.