Road boosts tourism in eastern Mt Province towns

Community Billboard

Dionie Chungalan

BARLIG, Mountain Province -- It cannot be denied that visitors of Mountain Province are nature lovers who prefer outdoor tourism. But it does not mean that installation and maintenance of facilities may be put aside. Basic support amenities such as restrooms, footbridges, visitor assistance centers are essential in any tourism setting.

A new concept in addressing tourism in the eastern towns of Barlig, Natonin and Paracelis is the completion of the 2-way national road lanes which at this writing have begun construction at Talubin – Barlig, Lias portion and Kadaclan. Three concrete bridges are underway between Barlig-Lias, and 1 Lunas route. It was earmarked that by 2015 to 2016, this road stretch connecting the three adjacent towns shall be at 80 percent finished.

More than two decades since, Kadaclan started opening its vicinity to tourism in spite of hiking lengthy trails and poor road condition. That time, few trekkers dared explore the place until little bylittle, the muddy road became passable by vehicles using winch, chains around wheels, and push-pull jeepney remedies to continue the journey.

While Kadaclan kept on inducing record tourism adventures, the Department of Tourism-Cordillera recognized the beautiful destinations that lured the Asian Social Institute), Women Associations in Manila, Summer Institute of Linguistics, writers, researchers, among others that awakened tourism perspectives in the eastern frontiers. It was highlighted by the presidential Kadaclan visit of Gloria M. Arroyo to spur domestic tourism on Dec. 29, 2001.

After recalling those exhausting and difficult days, the road came to a rescue of shortening travel times. Not known to many, are the splendors of the “eastern” with products. Natonin and Paracelis will provide an example of how they set the future in motion by transporting bulk supply of bananas, corns, abaca woven handicraft, native rice, coconuts, and wild games toBontoc market for cheaper prices adding revenue to the province.

For Barlig, the comprehensive point of view is long-term sustainable tourism. House Bill 2192 filed by Rep. Maximo B. Dalog declaring Barlig as a Tourism Development Area has been approved by the committee on tourism which shall pass into law yet.

Another is the sisterhood pact between Baguio City and Barlig signed June 2, 2014 that prioritized eco-tourism and trade to be developed by both parties. Tourism awareness amongcommunity residents to involve themselves will no doubt be a lucrative business for Barlig as the gateway to the east.

But to transform the eastern frontiers to tourists’ haven, easterners must have the principles of volunteerism, community concern, respect for the environment, sense of pride in areas of attractions and tourist-friendliness.

When local folks have been educated for social acceptability then marketing and promotions can enter.

And when all things will be well at last, there would something to smile about. Welcome aboard to the Eastern Frontiers Tourism Ship.