LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Provincial officials were elated with the support of the 82-man League of vice governors of the Philippines (LVGP) in aggressively promoting Benguet as an ecotourism destination in the country which will surely boost the province’s growth and development.
Last week, Benguet played host to the 93rd National Assembly of the league with the theme Policy Development: The vice governors in Action.
Gov. Melchor Diclas said that such gatherings of the government and the private sectors being hosted by the province will definitely serve as a big boost in informing the foreign and domestic tourists of their misconceptions of Benguet.
He stated that Benguet is just lucky that it is also getting a lion’s share from the tourist arrivals of Baguio city but what is important at this point is that the province is now being given equal exposure like what is being given to Baguio city which is a chartered city within the province.
For his part, Vice governor Ericson ‘Tagel’ Felipe expressed his gratitude to his fellow vice governors from the different parts of the country for choosing Benguet as the host of its national gathering that allowed them to appreciate the good environment, rich culture and the peace-loving people of the province.
Further, Vice governor Felipe assured that the province’s officialdom will sustain its aggressive promotion of Benguet as a pristine tourist destination and a must-see place because of its natural grandeur.
Aside from holding lectures and seminars, the participating vice governors were given a chance to visit the various BLISTT area where they were amazed at the natural beauty of the province.
Senior board member Marie Rose ‘Betbet” T. Fongwan rallied the vice governors to help in aggressively promoting Benguet with their constituents so that they will consider visiting the province for them to be able to help in spurring the province’s economic growth to achieve the desired development beneficial of the welfare of the greater majority of the populace.
Benguet has been branded as the Salad Bowl of the Philippines because it is the source of more than 80 percent of the highland vegetables being sold in the different parts of the country. It is also the source of the famous strawberries which is also being sold in various markets around the archipelago.
Local officials are hoping that more groups will conduct their gatherings in the province so that they will be able to help in elevating the status of Benguet as a prime tourist destination in the country so that it will not solely rely on the spillover of tourists from Baguio City to be able to promote its tourist destinations.
Moreover, Benguet is also the home of major cut flower and vegetable farms located in the province’s 13 towns apart from the existence of privately owned ecotourist destinations which is worthy of appreciation by nature lovers wanting to explore other tourist spots in the different parts of the country.
