A visionary for Vigan’s progress
Mayor Bonito Singson made inroads towards his hometown’s economic growth through people-centric projects
Vigan City Mayor Jose ‘Bonito’ Singson Jr.
Photographs courtesy of City Government of Vigan
Vigan City is known for its charm, culture, and heritage. The city was proclaimed as a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Heritage Site not only for its historical attractions, but also for the concerted efforts of its community for its proud participation in its conservation efforts.
One of the major drivers of its local economy is tourism, where visitors are offered a glimpse of the Vigan’s storied past through its architecture, along with the efforts to promote and preserve its culture for the next generations.
Mayor Bonito Singson was honored with the 2024 SubayBAYANI Award by the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
The Vigan City government launched a cookbook, 101 Ways of Eating Vigan Longganisa.
Tourism towards economic growth
Vigan’s tourism industry was revitalized under the leadership of its Mayor, Jose “Bonito” Singson Jr., with initiatives such as the Ciudad de Vigan Pasaporte de Turista or Vigan Tourist Passport, launched on 28 April 2023 on Calle Crisologo in the city’s heritage core.
The innovative tourism project encouraged visitors to explore the city and learn more about its history and culture by providing information about its iconic landmarks. One component of the project is designed to support local businesses, as “passport holders” have the chance to earn points from visits to various retail stores, restaurants, hotels, and other partner tourism outlets. Each special stamp on the passport is equivalent to points which can be redeemed for exclusive discounts and freebies.
This project proved effective with more tourist arrivals. From 305,487 in 2022, the figures more than doubled in 2023, with 720,894 arrivals. By 2024, tourist arrivals reached 986,126, supporting the hospitality industry and other allied businesses.
He has also made strides in promoting Vigan City internationally, hosting Bob and Clint Moffat of the pop group The Moffats together with Filipino singer Bugoy Drilon when they visited Vigan to shoot a music video that highlighted its attractions for their YouTube channel Music Travel Love.
Under Mayor Singson’s stewardship, Vigan City was also ranked eighth in Asia’s Top 25 destinations for 2025 by Travel Leisure Asia.
