BAUKO, Mountain Province – The historic landmark, Mount Data Hotel, in Sinto Bauko has re-opened to cater to local and foreign tourists recently.
The premier facility was erected by the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) during the administration of then President Diosdado Macapagal with the aim then to promote tourism in Mountain Province and the Cordillera region.
Mount Data hotel was the venue of the Sipat or peace pact between the government represented by then President Corazon Aquino and Fr, Conrado Balweg, the erstwhile Chief of the Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army (CPLA) in September 13, 1986.
The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) will operate and manage the facility after the operation was returned by the then Governor Leonard Mayaen. Governor Maimo Dalog then requested TIEZA to turn-over the operation and management to the provincial government that did for 10 years.
Rehabilitation works started in 2014 to refurbish the facility including retrofitting works that led to its renovation and eventual re-opening.
TIEZA Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid, in his welcome remarks, said that the opening of the Mount Data Hotel signals that tourism in the province and municipalities is open; the first step in recovering tourism.
He advanced information on the plans to open the facility to be family oriented with the establishment of hiking, horseback riding, etc. in the future. He expects also the facility as a venue for seminars and meetings from offices and agencies within and outside of the province.
Bauko Mayor Abraham Akilit, in his message, traced the start of rehabilitations works in 2014 to the most awaited re-opening. He commended the DOT and TIEZA for prioritizing the improvement of the only premier facility in the province which he said to boost local tourism and create employment opportunities.
Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan, Jr. represented by PA Jose Tombali harped on the acronym TOURIST as Team work among the stakeholders of the hotel, Oneness in purpose, Unity in service, Respect for the clients, giving the right Information, giving of efficient Service to the clients, to provide Thoughtful good experience to keep the tourist and clients imparted.
Congressman Maximo Dalog, Jr. represented by Erlindo Agwilang was nostalgic traced the history of the hotel as he said that the facility was erected some 60 years ago by the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) during the administration of then President Diosdado Macapagal. In September 13, 2016. The hotel was the venue of a SIPAT between the national government represented by President Corazon Aquino and the Cordilleras represented by Fr. Conrado Balweg of the Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army (CPLA).
The historic event led to the composition of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and the provision in the 1987 constitution for the creation of Cordillera Autonomous Region.
He expressed gratefulness to the governor, DOT, TIEZA, and the community for the full support to tourism development as a harbinger of economic development for the community and the province.
DOT Regional Director Jovita Ganongan underscored that the iconic hotel will spur tourism in the province as the establishment of tourism circuits in the region and the province will be facilitated. The Mount Data Hotel come to life again and vibrant with the conduct of “kolkolis and dagdagay, the Igorot experience.
Those who graced the occasion included the Mayor Franklin Odsey of Bontoc, Mayor Marcial Lawilao of Sabangan, and Mayor Johnson Bantog II of Besao, some staff from the Provincial Tourism Office and Municipal Tourism office of Bauko, other local officials and stakeholders.
