With the goal to revive the municipality’s tourism industry through attracting more tourists, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Bauko proposes the Development and Beautification of the Bauko Seven Peaks Tourism Circuit. The proposal also aims to strengthen the safety of the tourists as well as aiming for better economic opportunities.
The Bauko Seven Peaks tourism circuit is composed of seven peaks with different degrees of difficulty which are Madataken Peak and Mount Bato of Barangay Bila: Mangasil Peak, Kapowaw Hill, and Mount Nentingli of Bagnen Proper; and Mount Polis of Bagnen Oriente.
According to Mercesa A. Milo, Tourism Operations Officer II of the Municipal Tourism Office, through the recovery of Bauko tourism, we will also be able to increase tourism arrivals that will help increase tourism income of the municipality.
“Also, we will help the different businesses that closed down [due to pandemic] for them to reopen their businesses,” she added.
Better Economic Opportunities
Milo said that the two-year pandemic hiatus had affected small business due to the decrease of tourist arrival in the municipality. According to Levison B. Ayban, store owner in Bagnen, there was a decrease in sales during the pandemic wherein the tourism sites were closed. Additionally, he stated that the income will increase if there is an increase of tourist arrival.
A store owner in Abatan also stated that “Ednay Bauko, kaaduwan et self-sustaining sunga din pwesto mi umas-asa sin lakowan di dumayo ay turista ay manbisita sin tourism spots. (Here in Bauko, most people are self-sustaining that’s why our stall relies on tourists who visit our tourist spots.)”
Milo further stated that the tourism arrival may also increase tourism income of the municipality. However, in the comparison of tourist arrivals and tourism income in 2022, the increase of the tourist arrival is not consistent with the increase of income. The municipality also aims to increase the length of stay of the tourists starting with this project development.
Proposed Development
The municipality proposes the reorganization of tour packages, installation of directional and information signages, enhancing the competitiveness of tour guides, securing the safety and comfort of tourists through construction of comfort rooms, fencing of cliffs, and construction of a tourism center in the entrance of Mt. Polis which is the end of the circuit.
“Through the tourism center, all tourists visiting the area will be able to register and we can trace them and monitor the tourist’s safety during their tour,” Milo said.
Edna Capuyan, Sanguaniang Bayan (SB) member of Bauko, also emphasized during an SB session that the prioritization of tourism center is a must because this will also serve as the information desk of every tourist. By Rosalina G. Pesaña
