NAGA CITY, March 4 (PIA)—With pride, Iriga City Mayor Madel Alfelor introduced various points of interest and local tourist attractions that surely attract not only outside travelers but local tourists as well in her city.
Dubbed as the “City of Springs", Iriga City has 33 springs with fresh water classified as “AA”, which means the water source remains clean and uncontaminated. The city has a lot of spring resorts with very cold water and other natural wonders.
“We also have rafflesia, the largest flower in the Asia Pacific and is present not only in Malaysia but also in Iriga. It is the smallest in the species and has only 7-day longevity but you have to wait 9 months for it to bloom,” Alfelor explained.
Iriga also has various waterfalls in the city’s hinterlands. It also has Mount Iriga where hikers and sports enthusiasts can climb in a day and take a panoramic view of the entire Rinconada or 5th district area from the summit.
“Rinconada is from the Spanish term Rincon which means far-flung; Iriga City is the center of commerce and the only city in the fifth district; this is where old institutions were established,” Alfelor said.
That is why it is not surprising that the city also has old churches or faith-based tourist destinations where most visitors flock, specifically during the Lenten season.
Visitors can join the Way of the Cross and climb 200 steps to reach the church. They have the Inorogan Chapel and San Antonio de Padua church whose interiors are similar to those found at the Vatican. The grotto holds a historical tale as it was used as a garrison during the Japanese war.
