Sablan view deck tourist spot with local products

By Dionisio Dennis, Jr.

SABLAN, Benguet-- The municipal government here is giving tourists and ordinary travelers, who come to Baguio through Ilocos and La Union provinces, an alternative attraction that will also boost sales of local products.

 Councilor Romulo Polon, chairman of the tourism committee of the local legislative body, said on Wednesday that local hand-crafted products such as bags will be exclusively sold at the view deck in Barangay Banangan, which would give people a view of the sunset at Poro Point in La Union and the “snake-like” river from the Cordillera that drains to the Pacific Ocean.

The newly established view deck is about 30 minutes away from Baguio City.

 "There are Sablan-made products which are on display like bags made of local vines and recyclable materials, native woven items, fruits, and fruit derives like wine and the broom which is grown and made in Sablan,” Polon said, referring to the "pasalubong" center near the area.

He said there will be more products that will be displayed and sold there, probably including a freshly brewed Benguet coffee that one can sip while looking at the view and feeling the cold breeze, to add to the experience of those who “stop-over” at the view deck.

Soon, they will also include the products of the seven other villages of the town.

A tourism information center will also rise at the place, Polon said.

“Sablan is Benguet province’s fruit basket, producing several fruits on different seasons,” Polon said.

Polon said they are creating a system and talking with the local producers for the possibility of selling Sablan products at cheaper prices compared to those sold in areas, where the same is also brought because space is given by the government free of use for its people and as a come on.

Five years in the making due to lack of budget, the “pasalubong” center was opened on July 23, with the provincial government providing P700,000 for the completion of the comfort room and P650,000 for the pasalubong center.

The council has also passed a resolution asking for additional funds to further improve the place. -- PNA