BONTOC, Mountain Province – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations Community-Based Tourism (ASEAN-CBT) Awardees for Calendar Years (CY) 2025-2027, from Bila, Bauko and Pidlisan, Sagada, paid a courtesy visit to Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr. in his office at the Governor’s Mansion on February 3, 2025.
The said groups, which were led by Bila Punong Barangay Rodrigo D. Payacda and Fidelisan Barangay Captain and Pidlisan Tribe Chairperson Peter B. Patong, Sr., gladly presented their awards to the Governor and explained how they acquired them. The four barangays composing the Pidlisan tribe are Aguid, Bangaan, Fidelisan and Pide.
Before the group visited the Governor, they were accorded their certificates of recognition and plaques of recognition as ASEAN-CBT awardees for CY 2025-2027 during the Monday Program held at the Provincial Plaza which was graced by Vice Governor Francis O. Tauli, Board Members Johnson D. Bantog II, Kapon B. Gomgom-o, Ken Paulo P. Nacnas and Provincial Human Resources Officer Leonila Milagrose F. Malla-ao.
According to Bila Secretary Jenny O. Solimen and Fidelisan Tribal Secretary Alma G. Toyoken, the two barangays were nominated and endorsed by the Department of Tourism – Cordillera Administrative Region last year and successfully underwent thorough evaluation processes.
Subsequently, they received the aforementioned awards at the Persada Johor International Convention Center in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, wherein Bila Tourism Village and the Pidlisan Village were among the 14 awardees from the Philippines.
On behalf of the Provincial Government, Gov. Lacwasan expressed his administration’s support for tourism in the province; he also mentioned that he, together with the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan headed by Vice Tauli and the Provincial Tourism Office, is always ready to help the communities.
Also present during the visit were Angel B. Baybay, the officer-in-charge of the Office of the Provincial Tourism Officer, Provincial Government Assistant Department Head Ian Neil D. Culallad from the Office of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer and Planning Officer II Judith B. Nguslab from the Office of the Provincial Planning and Development Officer.
According to Baybay, these two winning villages will be participating in the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and in case their entry wins, they will be given an award and special privileges like projects by the UNWTO. “Esten taku kayet nan documents, nan documentation ya pati san mangbookbind.” Let’s help each other in sustaining our livelihood and tourism added Baybay.
Meanwhile, Toyoken and Patong pointed out that there’s a need for funding, seminars, and action for cultural mapping as part of their participation in the next level. They also needed a partnership with the PLGU. Members of the group shared that when they participated in the ASEAN competition, they really needed and accomplished the documentation and submitted all the requirements to be qualified and not just stories passed from the mouth. Solid waste management is also included in the competition.
Village tourism goes hand in hand with culture; it adds beauty to the industry, and the culture of the people is very much appreciated, like the use of “gateng” and “wanes,” including other cultural-related matters, added by Toyoken.
Bila Punong Barangay Payacda mentioned that there’s a need for the improvement and lighting of the Long-ayan path going to the rice terraces to further enhance the beauty of the place.
The Governor recalled that Bila is famous for its historical and cultural sites, traditional pottery, wine production and tourism, and destination in the province. He also mentioned that the black soil, which they add to the other type of soil in Bila for the mixture, comes from Otucan to produce a quality pot.
During the discussion, Governor Lacwasan referred the residents of Pidlisan to Culallad regarding the Vetiver or Moras grass, which Toyoken mentioned as one of their needs, so they could discuss how to acquire them and plant these in their areas to fight soil erosion.
Furthermore, the residents discussed the needs and improvements of their village, their projects, and related concerns with the governor, Baybay, and Culallad. The awardees are now preparing and aiming for the United Nations award. By MP-PIO via TFF
