Pangasinan: The Tourist Rest Area (TRA) in Pangasinan has welcomed 11,425 guests since its opening in February through the end of March this year.

According to Philippines News Agency, Ma. Luisa Elduayan, head of the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO), stated in an interview that the majority of visitors were local and domestic tourists, with 125 foreign tourists utilizing the facility. The TRA Lingayen, the first in Pangasinan, is designed to enhance visitor experience with its amenities.

The facility, which cost PHP10 million and was funded by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, features clean restrooms, a lounge, charging stations, a lactation area, and a pasalubong center showcasing local Pangasinan products. The tourist assistance desk operates from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, while the restrooms are accessible 24 hours a day.

Managed by the PTCAO and secured by the General Services Office of the Pangasinan provincial government, the TRA has also benefited local entrepreneurs. Elduayan reported that Pangasinense micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) have generated approximately PHP500,000 in gross sales by selling their products at the Pasalubong Center. She noted that the income goes directly to the entrepreneurs, providing them with business opportunities through the provision of operational spaces.

The province's first TRA is among the top performers in the country regarding sales of MSME products.