LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Gov. Melchor D. Diclas recognized the important contributions of former officials in the sustained growth and development of the province and its achievements over the past several decades.
In his message during the kick off program of the 2023 Adivay Festival and the 123rd Founding Anniversary of Benguet, he claimed that it is now incumbent upon the present batch of officials to do their part in sustaining and improving what the former officials had accomplished for the province.
He assured the residents that the provincial government is steadfast in responding to the development needs of the rural areas in close coordination with concerned government agencies and the private sector because it is their mandate to work for the welfare of their constituents.
The governor also extended the invitation of the provincial government to foreign and domestic tourists to explore the grandeur and beauty of Benguet with its natural attractions such as trekking sites, agri-tourism and ecotourism destinations, numerous public and private resorts, beautiful waterfalls, among others, for them to help promote the province as another must-see destination for those seeking alternative tourist spots.
According to him, tourism is one of the province’s economic drivers that must be strengthened through aggressive promotions so that nature-lovers will be enticed to consider visiting the emerging tourist spots in the 13 municipalities which have their distinct identities worthy of exploring.
Diclas pointed out that aside from agriculture, tourism is complementary to the sources of livelihood of most of the residents that is why the feasibility of establishing agri-tourism destinations will greatly help in providing added value to the said sector.
Among the famous tourist destinations in the province include the cut flower and strawberry farms in La Trinidad, the Mount Pulag National Park and the age-old mummies in Kabayan; the Ambuklao and Binga Dams in Bokod and Itogon; the vegetable terraces in Atok; the Asin Hot Springs in Tuba; the Mount Ulap and Mount Ugo trekking sites in Itogon and other emerging private and public resorts in the different towns.
Gov. Diclas lauded the efforts of private resort owners in developing their properties as distinct tourist spots as these will surely pave the way for the expected influx of foreign and domestic tourists that will contribute in providing jobs for residents and increase the economic activities and sources of livelihood in their respective communities.
Earlier, the Provincial Tourism Office projected the rebound of the local tourism industry that had been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic following the significant increase in tourist arrivals in the various tourist destinations in the different municipalities that started early this year.
Benguet is known as the country’s Salad Bowl because it is the source of more than 80 percent of the highland vegetables being sold in various markets around the archipelago. It also hosts the second highest point in the country’s highway system which is located in Barangay Cattubo, Atok that is also frequented by foreign and domestic visitors wanting to explore other tourist spots in the Central Cordillera.
The governor rallied local businesses to continue investing in the development of potential tourist spots in the different municipalities to provide new attractions for visitors.
