NATONIN, Mtn. Province – Representatives of the Provincial Tourism Office, Municipal Tourism Office, and the Mountain Province Caves and Eco-Tour Guides Association (MPCETGA) conducted exploration activities at lower Natonin and other potential tourism spots within the municipality on July 27-28, 2021.
Before proceeding to explore, the team met with Mayor Jose Agagon who reminded the same team on the first exploration in Barangay Maducayan, this municipality, conducted sometime November last year.
He said that the municipality has prioritized the clearing of access pathways leading to tourism spots such as the Silent Mountain or Mount Vinaratan, Aguinaldo Cave, and some waterfalls.
He appreciated very much the MPCETGA for partnering with the local government in exploring the potential tourist spots.
“We have to let the outside world know that we have attractions here that we could offer to tourists, foreigners and locals alike”, he stressed.
The second destination was the Vuayon Salt Spring down Barangay Saliok. It is a 10 minute walk down the river from the Saliok-Maducayan road.
Municipal Tourism Action Officer Froilan Tarnate says that locals take water from the spring for cooking of viands and other purposes without adding salt since the water is salty.
A side trip was made to Mount Tu’or where one can have a 360 degrees view of the surrounding rice terraces, mountain summits, and communities. As it is privately owned, it was suggested that a scheme or arrangement should be made with the owner for the use of the property for viewing.
The next day led us to the proposed Sacarao Camping Site in Barangay Banawel. A flat and wide area occupying a hectare of the 4 hectare property and only a 5 minute ride from Poblacion and a 5 minute ascending hike from the road. It is proposed to be a camping site to augment the limited lodging facilities of the town.
It serves also as a viewing point of the sunrise and it overlooks parts of Paracelis and the province of Isabela. It is also ideal for development as an eco-park and picnic ground, and for agri-tourism.
The last tourist spot visited was Lake Hafiyen which is located in Barangay Balangao. It is an hour’s hike from the barangay proper or more or less 2 hours hike from the Poblacion.
It is a 700 square meter pond within a private property where fishing activities can be done.
The team was composed of Robert Pangod, Denver Lagasi, and Denver Soaygan from the Red Cross – MP Chapter, Jar Guindalos and Jody Asuncion from the MPCETGA, Fayrene Sangayab, Kendrel Facsoy, Shannon Chilem, Shannon Bernardez, and this writer from the Provincial Tourism Office.** Roger Sacyaten
