BONTOC, Mtn. Prov.– “Paracelis time is now, tourism is in”, is a declaration of the present administration that bespeaks of the current efforts to promote tourism in this place.
This easternmost municipality is gearing up for more tourism endeavors not been seen in past years as the local leadership now keeps harping on tourism development and promotion.
A trail run encounter that exposes some of the tourism attractions of the place is scheduled on November 30, 2019 and is referred to as the Kakarefin Trail Run– a hand in hand endeavor in the local Baliwon dialect.
Conceptualized earlier this year after the Pagga Trail Run that traversed the eastern side from Maborotbot Mud Spring to the Pagga Falls in Barangay Bantay to Poblacion earlier this year, this edition of a second trail run intersects west for the tourism attractions of Poblacion such as the cell site atop the road to Natonin where one may view the sunrise including a sea of clouds in the morning and Dapdap falls.
Those who opt for the 14 kilometer run will end up at Poblacion while the 20 kilometer runners will continue to the nearby Barangay Bantay.
The Mountain Province Caves and Eco-Tour Guides Association (MPCETGA), a non-government organization as partner of the local government unit, plays a pivotal role in both trail runs as it hopes to encourage tourism promotion in the area.
This trail run also hopes to generate funds through the registration and sponsorships mainly for the needs of the SPED pupils. A part will also be added to the operational funds of MPCETGA.
“We hope to entice runners from other provinces as well as the locals to patronize this activity”, said Flora Madanom, the Municipal Tourism Action Officer (MTAO).
JayR Guindalos, the president of MPCETGA is confident that this activity will be supported by locals and runners from the nearby provinces of Ifugao, Kalinga, and Isabela.
“We would like to show that we support the development and promotion of tourism in the communities of Mountain Province, especially Paracelis”, he said.
Mayor Marcos Ayangwa has reportedly said that the time has come for Paracelis to shine, and so with tourism as he invites investors and well off individuals with community spirit for “Kakarefin” efforts for the development of the place.
Paracelis is the rice bowl of the province as well as host of large corn and banana plantations.**Roger Sacyaten
