Bontoc, Mtn. Prov.– “Tourism knows no bounds!”
That was what guided the Provincial Council for Tourism, Culture and the Arts (PCTCA) in agreeing to an action regarding the mess in tourism sites/attractions in the municipalities of the province during a meeting held on June 16, 2022.
JayR Guindalos of the Mountain Province Caves and Tour Guides Association (MPCETGA), who was just installed as the co-chairperson of the Council from the private sector, steered the participants to endorse the convening of a municipal meeting of officials and stakeholders promoting common tourism attractions, not touching the more sensitive issue of boundaries.
“We promote as one”, referring to the claimants of the tourist sites, Guindalos said.
The chaos created were highlighted between Blue Soil of Sagada and Kaman-utek of Bontoc. The tourism site refers to one and the same site above Barangay Balili, Bontoc, this province. The site is also being claimed by someone from Sagada.
Also with Mount Polis of Bangnen, Bauko and Data, Sabangan that refers to the mountain as Mount Oona. The mountain peak is one and the same that offers 360 degrees exhilarating view of some barangays of Sabangan, Bauko, Tadian, and Sagada.
Another site posing confusions is the majestic Paradise Falls of Monamon, Bauko which is the same as Ballay Falls of Sabangan.
Still, another is the Fuwaas Falls located between Bekigan and Belwang, both barangays of Sadanga. Tourists were forbidden to visit the Falls as it was closed by the municipal government during the administration of the late Mayor Gabino Ganggangan.
It was the common sentiments of the participants in the meeting that boundaries should be settled in the proper fora and that parties should jointly promote the sites for tourism purposes and should come out with win-win solutions.
A more critical inter-provincial tourism concern is regarding Mount Amuyao of Barlig, frequently traversed by tourists from Mayaoyao and Banaue, Ifugao. It was closed by the Barlig executive after finding the garbage piled up at the peak allegedly left by tourist from Ifugao.
Proper waste management ought to be tackled by stakeholders as the Provincial Tourism Office is planning to call for a joint meeting between Barlig, Mayoyao, and Banaue to thresh out the matters outside of the boundary issue.
In all, the entrance fees or environmental fees being collected from tourists is believed to be the main culprit in the chaos and differences among the local government units and communities.
Meanwhile, John Tay-oy Pelew, a member of the Council proposed the compilation of historical data from the municipalities to be submitted to the national library. This pertains to the historical sites such as the Spanish Trails, historical sites, and local community historical markers.
Karen Cue of the Mountain Province State Polytechnic College (MPSPC), also commented that there should only be one story, one write-up about the spots that tourist guides will talk about.
Her view generated affirmation from the participants.
Among the agenda tackled was the programs and activities of the Council for the second semester. It was decided that seminar and training for basic tourism be conducted for policemen from the province and the municipalities on July 6 and 7, 2022.** Roger Sacyaten
