Laoag & Vigan

Laoag City
Sparkling gem of Ilocandia. Laog City cradles nature at its best. Catering to all dimensions. The city, a growing tourist destination, offers a discovery of charming surprises, lush vegetation, scenic beaches, highland lures and historical-painted environment. It is 488 kilometers away from Manila, and is located at the west central part of the province of Ilocos Norte bordering China Sea. Equipped with the necessary vigor, Laog City emerged as a giant growth center of the north. The name it carries vow perpetuates its character as a melting pot, a place where people converge.

Laoag City, belonging to the North Luzon Quadrangle is being developed into a tourism center of the North outside Hongkong, Taiwan and even Japan.

Vigan City
Vigan City is the capital of the Province of Ilocus Sur. It is a first class municipality which lies along the western coast of Northern Luzon. It is 408 kilometers away from the City of Manila.

Getting to And Around

Laoag City

By Air. Asian Spirit (Jet Aircraft) flies from Manila to Laoag every Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. While Cebu Pacific (Airbus) provides 3 times a week flights from Manila to Laoag on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Other airlines offer 3 international flights weekly from Kaoshiung and Guangshou and back. There is also a flight 6 times weekly from Laoag to Hongkong and back.

By Land. Serviced by major bus lines every hour that ply the Laoag-Manila route.

Vigan City

By Air. Domestic flights leave Manila twice a week for Laoag City which is an hour and a half ride by bus or cab. Or fly to San Fernando, La Union and hop a bus north to Vigan City.

By Land. The 408 km. stretch from Manila to Vigan City is comfortable 8 hours long ride along the scenic Ilocos Highway. Partas Bus Co., Dominion Bus Lines and Viron Transit ply regularly the Manila-Vigan route. The City can also be reached through buses going to Laoag City namely, Fariñas Transportation, Maria de Leon Bus Lines, RCJ Bus Lines, F. Franco Transit, Auto Bus and Rayjan Bus Lines.

The best way to explore Vigan is on foot; the town center is small and compact yet full of excitement.

Tourist Attractions

Laoag City

Natural

• Monroe Island
• Balatong Ecopark

Man-Made

• Tobacco Monopoly Monument
• Museo Ilocos Norte of Gameng Museum
• St. Williams Cathedral
• Sinking Bell Tower
• Fort Ilocandia
• Aurora Park
• Rizal Park
• Gilbert Bridge
• Laoag Outskirts
• Paoay Sand Dunes

Vigan City

Natural

• Mindoro Beach

Man-Made

• Mira Hills Fil-Spanish Friendship Park
• Burgos National Museum
• Crisologo Museum
• Ancestral Houses
• Archbishop's Place
• Baluarte
• Pagburnayan
• St. Paul's Metropolitan Cathedral
• Plaza Salcedo
• Plaza Burgos
• Chapel of Black Nazarene
• Calle Crisologo
• Arsobizpo
• Hidden Garden
• Damili Village
• Abel Iloco Weavers
• St. Benedict Monastery
• Empanadaan
• Kankanen Zone
• Syquia Mansion
• Museo San Pablo
• Museo Nueva Segovia

Tourist Statistics

Visitor Arrivals

Laoag City

• Exemption from payment of permit fees, business taxes, fees and other charges which the province imposes three(3) years from start of commercial operation for projects whose capitalization is between Php 40 million to Php 60 million; and five (5) years for projects whose capitalization is above Php 60 million
• Exemption from payment of basic Real Property Tax and Special Education Fund Tax for 3 years from the date of approval of registration by the Board for projects whose capitalization is above Php 60 million.

Vigan City (Proposed Incentives)

Fiscal Incentives

A registered enterprise shall enjoy a business tax discount based on the following schedule:

A. Duration of all incentives shall be for a period of three (3) years.

B. Additional incentive shall be given to enterprise that can provide out of its labor force, an employment of not less than 60% for the total local labor force. The said additional incentive shall be equal to a 10% additional discount on their business tax with a duration of one of one calendar year with the opportunity to renew on a yearly basis for up to three (3) years inclusive of the first year when granted.

Non-fiscal Incentives

All registered and qualified enterprise can avail of the City Investment Promotion Center's service catering to the following:
A. Assistance in hiring local skills qualified enterprise needs.
B. Sourcing out available local materials needed by the business enterprise.
C. Facilitation in the processing of their business permits, locational clearance, building permits and other local license/permits.
D. Promotion, marketing of products or endorsement of service offered.

Tourism Development Directions

• Adopt and implement the cluster development approach based action concept for the development of tourism (northern and southern clusters in the case of the region).
• Tourism Cluster Development Program
• Tourism Estate, Heritage and Marine Park Development such as:
  • Vigan Heritage Village
  • Laoag - Paoay - Batac Sports and Recreation Circuit
  • Pagudpud - Bangui Eco Tourism Estate

Required Infrastructure Development

Laoag City

• Patapat Cliff
• Laoag International Airport
• Bacarra Bridge
• Currimao Port

Vigan City

• Vigan Airport
• Metro Vigan Potable Water System
• Metro Vigan Circumferential Road
• Metro Vigan Sewerage and Drainage System