CATANAUAN, Quezon - President Aquino likened the scenic beaches of Quezon province to the allure of Hawaii as he emphasized the need to promote tourism during his visit to this coastal town and Gumaca yesterday.

"Kanina po papunta kami ni Procy, nakasakay kami sa helicopter, nakita namin 'yung baybaying dagat ng Quezon, napakarami po niyong magagandang mga beaches (A while ago in the helicopter with Procy [Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala], we saw how beautiful the many beaches of Quezon are)," said Aquino.

"Napakaganda po 'nung tubig; napakaliwanag. Akala ko po'y nagmistulang nasa Hawaii ka na (The water is beautiful and crystal. It seemed like Hawaii)," he said.

The President was in Quezon province to support the campaign of his administration's Team PNoy senatorial slate.

He said he was amazed with the beautiful beaches of Quezon, noting some tourist attractions like Villa Escudero in Tiaong; Puting Buhangin Beach in Pagbilao, ancestral houses in Sariaya; and Pahiyas Festival in Lucban.

He however said there are more tourist areas that should be developed, particularly the beach areas which have not yet been reached by electricity and roads.

The President said the Quezon province should take advantage of its rich natural resources and push its tourism industry further, noting that almost 100,000 tourists visited Quezon in 2011.

Reelectionist Senator Loren Legarda encouraged the people of Quezon Province to promote and preserve their culture and make use of their agricultural abundance to further boost the province's cultural tourism and agri-tourism potentials.

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Quezon Beaches Like Hawaii – PNoy