‘La Presa’ turns into tourists’ ‘nightmare’

By Jayma Doraiswamy

TUBA, Benguet – The fictional Sitio La Presa here at Mt. Cabuyao, featured in ABS-CBN’s television series “Forevermore” had become an instant tourist destination in this once sleepy rustic town.

It has brought livelihood for some locals, but then, most small-scale business persons from nearby Baguio City are reportedly now lording it over here and are charging tourists and visitors usurious prices for their products.

Department of Trade and Industry officials said strawberries are sold as high as P700 per kilo while parking had become a burden with expensive  entrance and parking fees.

DTI Consumer Welfare and protection division head Samuel Gallardo, in an interview, confirmed reports, although he said no formal complaint had been filed in their office.

Gallardo, a lawyer, urged tourists to file complaints as their rights are being abused by vendors.

For complaints related to agricultural products, he said complaints may be filed with the Department of Agriculture.

For parking and entrance fees, complaints could be filed with local government of Tuba, he said.

Gallardo said the public as consumers have responsibility to be mindful of their situation, if they are being taken advantage of.

Meantime, Gallardo  bared that  based on their monitoring, prices of basic commodities in Baguio and Benguet remain stable.