LA TRINIDAD, Benguet– The Department of Tourism – Cordillera spearheaded last week the dry run of the Fun Farm Circuit for La Trinidad and Tublay as part of the Farm Tourism Circuit Development in line with efforts to gear up tourism recovery in the region.
DOT-CAR Officer in Charge Jovita Ganongan said that the Fun Farm Circuit focuses on the existing farms within the BLISTT or the Baguio – La Trinidad – Itogon – Sablan – Tuba and Tublay that offer experiential tours and other outdoor experiences.
The farm tour was participated in by the tourism officers of BLISTT, tour operators and members of the media.
The farm tour dry run started at the Cosmic Farm in Beckel, La Trinidad that advocates organic farming. Not only do they grow organic plants and animals here but they also teach farmers the different methods of organic farming. It is accredited by TESDA with a certification of Organic Agriculture Production NC II while the Cosmic Farm Dormitory is accredited by the DOT under the Mabuhay Accommodations category.
The group proceeded to Ambassador in Tublay to visit two sites. At the two-hectare Amando’s Lemon Farm, participants enjoyed picking fresh lemon straight from the trees in an area with an amazing view of the sunrise. They also had a taste of a specially prepared lemon dessert and fresh lemonade.
The next destination was the Polig’s Farm whose landmark is a giant kettle with a diameter of 24 feet and a height of 20 feet. The farm offers breathtaking view of the Tublay mountains and picking of different varieties of berries and other seasonal fruits. It was intended for family gatherings only but DOT Secretary Bernadette Puyat saw its potential for tourism and encouraged the owners.
The Winaca Eco Cultural Village in Acop, also in Tublay, is a combination of culture, nature and adventure. The village promotes sustainable farming and has been supplying flowers and ornamental plants to different establishments nationwide. The team had a chance to pick flowers at the anthurium garden and at the poinsettia plantation.
Winaca also showcases a traditional Ifugao house, a Sagada-Bontoc house and the Bakun house of Benguet.
The tour ended at the DIY Brew Bar in Pico, La Trinidad which promotes Farm to Cup Program. The team started the farm experience with experiential tour showing the process of coffee production- from the nursery to the storage, roasting and packing area then a demonstration of Arabica and Robusta coffee preparation and the do-it-yourself coffee experience. The enterprise grows most of its coffee beans in its own farm.
The DOT and stakeholders will again have a workshop and look at how to improve the product offerings.
Ganongan said the DOT has earlier conducted a dry run of the Green Tour Circuit connecting farms and other tour destinations in the municipalities of Sablan and Tuba to Baguio City.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions being imposed, she said, the DOT with the different tourism stakeholders are exploring and developing tour circuits within the BLISTT which are safer and in adherence to the health and safety protocols.
“These are safer things to do and we hope that when things are better and when finally Baguio and Benguet will open for tourism, we are ready to welcome the visitors and tourists to explore our farms,” Goninan said. **JDP/RMC-PIA-CAR
