The provincial government aims to improve its seaport, establish a mental health facility and develop a tourism center starting this year, Gov. Mario Eduardo Ortega said Wednesday.

Ortega said port development would cater to bulk carriers and potentially cruise ships, serving as a hub to showcase tourist spots in La Union, Pangasinan, Cordillera and Ilocos Sur.

“With the port, we want to improve the services that can be afforded with our ports right now. Together with the airport,” he said in an interview.

He also targets a mental rehabilitation center for the Ilocos Region in partnership with the Department of Health and a regional medical center. Five new ambulances will be distributed to towns and rescue training augmented, including a jet ski for sea rescues.

A tourism center in San Juan town is planned to promote the province’s sites, alongside developing sustainable offerings like camping and hiking trails.

“So those are our targets. In ports, it’s economic. You have tourism. Partly economic, but at the same time, it is also to sell our tourist areas. And then the third one is the medical side,” Ortega said. (PNA)