DOT approves P15 M for Sagada tourism
>> Sunday, October 7, 2012
By Gina Dizon
SAGADA, Mountain
Province -- Following approval of a P15 million fund from the Tourism
Infrastructure and Economic Zone Authority (TIEZA) of the Department of Tourism
for development projects in this tourist town, the Sangguniang Bayan here
identified priority projects in a Sept.
25 resolution.
The tourism projects
identified the construction of comfort rooms at Sumaguing cave, Lumiang burial
cave, tourism office at the town center, municipal park and in the barangays of
Bangaan and Aguid; guard rails at Echo Valley; view deck at Lumiang cave,
benches at Sumaguing cave, and sheds at Bumod-ok and Bokong Falls.
Said resolution was
forwarded to TIEZA chief operating officer Mark Lapid for his information.
The said approval of
P15 million from TIEZA follows from an earlier resolution by the SB here
forwarded to Lapid August 31, 2010 requesting for P30 million for development
of tourism development projects in Sagada for construction of pathways, access
roads, views decks and landscaping of major tourism spots here in this tourist
town.
Vice
mayor Richard Yodong said the fund was approved early this year adding the fund
should be implemented before the year ends otherwise it shall be reverted
if not disbursed.
3 comments:
Former electoral platforms in Sagada include ecotourism, but tourism projects do not just mean building toilets, paving roads and cementing things, a total contrast to the real essence of ecotourism. Ecotourism as defined in Wikipedia is a form of tourism which involves visiting fragile, pristine, and relatively undisturbed natural areas, intended as a low-impact and often small scale alternative to standard commercial (mass) tourism. The challenge here is, how can this P15million be used for Sagada’s tourism other than creating eyesores that can destroy Sagada’s vista and its off the beaten path beauty which it has been known for and still remains to be one of the fundamental sources of its income. Guard rails along the Echo Valley trail? Are the tour guides not enough? The Lumiang and Sumaguing caves, although those are sacred burial caves, are one of the prime tourist spots and already have their fair share of promoting tourism. I just really wonder what those benches will be for. My ten cents on this, before spending the funds, I think Sagada should have a solid and proactive ecotourism management and development strategies and polices. Tourism projects can also mean promotion of responsible and sustainable tourism. Things like toilets, benches, guard rails and sheds are meant for high-end tourists who expect fairly comfortable facilities, as opposed to he more adventurous or lower spending visitors who seek or settle for just the basic facilities. Jaime Dugao, a Sagada elder, as quoted in an article said, "Tourism is good so long as it does not disturb or distort the dynamics of the community. There will come a time that these tourists will control the community".
Former electoral platforms in Sagada include ecotourism, but tourism projects do not just mean building toilets, paving roads and cementing things, a total contrast to the real essence of ecotourism. Ecotourism as defined in Wikipedia is a form of tourism which involves visiting fragile, pristine, and relatively undisturbed natural areas, intended as a low-impact and often small scale alternative to standard commercial (mass) tourism. The challenge here is, how can this P15million be used for Sagada’s tourism other than creating eyesores that can destroy Sagada’s vista and its off the beaten path beauty which it has been known for and still remains to be one of the fundamental sources of its income. Guard rails along the Echo Valley trail? Are the tour guides not enough? The Lumiang and Sumaguing caves, although those are sacred burial caves, are one of the prime tourist spots and already have their fair share of promoting tourism. I just really wonder what those benches will be for. My ten cents on this, before spending the funds, I think Sagada should have a solid and proactive ecotourism management and development strategies and polices. Tourism projects can also mean promotion of responsible and sustainable tourism. Things like toilets, benches, guard rails and sheds are meant for high-end tourists who expect fairly comfortable facilities, as opposed to he more adventurous or lower spending visitors who seek or settle for just the basic facilities. Jaime Dugao, a Sagada elder, as quoted in an article said, "Tourism is good so long as it does not disturb or distort the dynamics of the community. There will come a time that these tourists will control the community".
Former electoral platforms in Sagada include ecotourism, but tourism projects do not just mean building toilets, paving roads and cementing things, a total contrast to the real essence of ecotourism. Ecotourism as defined in Wikipedia is a form of tourism which involves visiting fragile, pristine, and relatively undisturbed natural areas, intended as a low-impact and often small scale alternative to standard commercial (mass) tourism. The challenge here is, how can this P15million be used for Sagada’s tourism other than creating eyesores that can destroy Sagada’s vista and its off the beaten path beauty which it has been known for and still remains to be one of the fundamental sources of its income. Guard rails along the Echo Valley trail? Are the tour guides not enough? The Lumiang and Sumaguing caves, although those are sacred burial caves, are one of the prime tourist spots and already have their fair share of promoting tourism. I just really wonder what those benches will be for. My ten cents on this, before spending the funds, I think Sagada should have a solid and proactive ecotourism management and development strategies and polices. Tourism projects can also mean promotion of responsible and sustainable tourism. Things like toilets, benches, guard rails and sheds are meant for high-end tourists who expect fairly comfortable facilities, as opposed to he more adventurous or lower spending visitors who seek or settle for just the basic facilities. Jaime Dugao, a Sagada elder, as quoted in an article said, "Tourism is good so long as it does not disturb or distort the dynamics of the community. There will come a time that these tourists will control the community".
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