BONTOC, Mtn. Province – The Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia – Frasco has approved the implementation of a Tourist Rest Area project in Barangay, Bayyo, this municipality.
This was known after Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan, Jr., DOT Regional Director Jovita Ganongan, in the presence of this writer and DOT-CAR Supervising Tourism Operations Officer Sylvia Chinayog, visited the secretary on October 4, 2023 at her office in Makati City, Metro Manila.
During the interactions, the governor presented three proposed tourism projects such as the Bayyo Tourist Rest Area, Enhancement of the Barlig Eagle Structure cum Tourist Rest Area, and the Provcial Tourism and Cultural Museum.
The Bayyo Tourist Rest Area was endorsed and prioritized for its being located along the Banaue-Bontoc-Sagada national road which is the route of tourists and commuters to the said places.
The site is 28 kilometers away from Banaue, Ifugao, 16 kilometers to Bontoc, and 38 kilometers to Sagada, this province.
The Tourist Rest Area (TRA) consists of a view Deck and a toilet which are already existing built by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), a coffee shop, and a souvenir items stall including a parking area.
Secretary Frasco signified her intention to visit barangay Bayyo for the groundbreaking activities of the project the soonest.
Governor Lacwasan was appreciative of the approval of the project, and the warm accommodation of the Secretary for the other two projects pending completion of some supporting requirements.
MEANWHILE, the community of Bayyo is preparing for the conduct of the first ever Baliling Festival to showcase the agri-culture of overturning the soil making into plots on the rice fields of the barangay.
These Baliling plots are planted with camote and legumes.
Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong has been invited, and he confirmed, to grace the festival as the guest of honor and speaker. **Roger Sacyaten
