SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) – The Department of Tourism (DOT) continues its three-day Philippine Experience Program (PEP) in La Union on March 20.
 
The delegates were welcomed through a gastronomic experience at the famous Halo-Halo de Iloko Mansion in San Fernando City, featuring Ilocano specials, fusion dishes, and local delicacies, particularly the Halo-Halo with ingredients coming from various towns of La Union.

"The Halo-Halo of La Union is different because if you're going to taste it, you already tried to taste the different flavors of La Union,” Chef Xavier Mercado of Halo-Halo de Iloko Mansion said.
 
The dessert features a combination of caramelized sugarcane from Sudipen town, native banana from various towns of the province, corn from Tubao town, honey from the town of Bacnotan, and “camube” (camote-ube) from the towns of Bagulin, Santol, and Burgos.
 
Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-La Union launched a mini trade fair, where some exhibitors in the province showcased their income-generating products and creative crafts to the visitors.

Dr. Gloria Caluyag, one of the delegates from Quezon City, urged the exhibitors to produce more of their quality and affordable products.
 
“Let us support local products which are locally made from the hands of local people,” Caluyag said.
 
In addition, the group also experienced the releasing of around 48 sea turtle hatchlings in a bid to let them survive in their natural environment at the San Juan beach in Barangay Urbiztondo.
 
The releases form part of the endeavor of the Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions (CURMA), in partnership with the Provincial Government of La Union, and the Municipal Government of San Juan, which seeks to preserve threatened sea turtles in their natural habitat by caring for nesting areas and hatchling populations and raising public awareness.

To sustain its vision to be the heart of Agri-Tourism in Northern Luzon by 2025, the Provincial Government of La Union vows to continue exemplifying the unity of the constituents despite its diverse language and culture.
 
“That is why our tagline is ‘LOVE La Union’. We want everyone to Live, Own, Visit and Enjoy the province of La Union,” Julius Manabat, officer-in-charge/provincial tourism officer of the La Union Provincial Tourism Office said.
 
In her message, DOT Assistant Secretary Maria Rica Bueno said that the PEP serves as an information drive for stakeholders to get to know the Philippines, including its various cultural heritage.
 
”Please allow me to emphasize that PEP of the DOT is really intended to inform not only our partners in the Philippines but also our partners and friends around the world," Bueno said.
 
The PEP, which is a heritage, culture, and arts caravan, aims to give opportunities for tourists to visit not only key tourist destinations but also lesser-known destinations to experience their food and local products.
 
The delegates composed of 83 individuals include the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Philippines, Mr. Tull Traitorat, DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, DOT employees, travel operators, and the media, among others. (JCR/AMB/KJCR, PIA La Union)