Dalog files bill to up ‘Shangrila on the edge’ tourism

By Erlindo Agwilang, Jr.    

BARLIG, Mountain Province – A bill authored by Rep. Maximo B. Dalog, was filed at the Lower House that seeks to declare Barlig’s barangays endowed with natural beauty, rivers, lakes, hot springs, waterfalls, rice terraces and mountain resources as tourism development areas.

In relation to House Bill 0283  declaring Barlig, as Tourism Development Area, Tourism Undersecretary for legislative matters lawyer Falconi V. Millar visited the municipality and visited  the municipality’s popular tourist destinations Last May 18-19.

The measure was approved on committee level at Lower House and is awaiting approval on second and third reading at the plenary. 

On May 18, Millar first dropped by Poblacion, Barlig and was welcomed by Mayor Genesis Changilan, Vice Mayor David Osborn Fomocod and Sangguniang Bayan.

From the municipal hall, he viewed some of Barlig’s Rice Terraces of Gawana, Fiangtin and Macalana.

 Millar proceeded to the village of Kadaclan, dubbed ‘’Shangrila on the Edge,’’ where he was welcomed by Dionie Chungalan, retired Education supervisor who is managing Kadaclan Home Stay. Native food, rice wines and “basi” were served to visitors.

The next day, the undersecretary’s group, including local officials and the community climbed the steep mountains of Barangays Kaleo and Ogo-og hiking for one hour and 30 minutes while enjoying the scenic views of various rice terraces along the way until they reached the beautiful Amitayoc Falls.

Millar is supposed to continue his visit to other known tourist destinations of Barlig but cut his itinerary at Lake Tufob, Chatol and promised to come back after he was invited as guest speaker of the town’s Fortan Festival on June 19.

He is looking forward to seeing other spots like the famous Mount Amuyao, Lias Rice Terraces, Challos Falls, various hot springs, the wonderful rock formations, and many other caves and falls.

Dalog said that if this edict is approved into law, the Tourism Development Plan of Barlig shall be incorporated in the Dept. of Tourism’s overall national development plan (NTDP).

The DOT, in coordination with the Tourism Infrastructure and Development Authority (TIEZA) and other concerned agencies of the government, shall delineate well defined geographic areas within the TDA and coordinate integrated development of these areas for optimum use of these assets, attractions and facilities.