‘More fun’ campaign not enough - lawmaker

Friday, January 13, 2012

CAMPAIGNS by the government to attract more tourists into the country are not complete without featuring the grandeur of the Ifugao Rice Terraces.

The latest campaign of the Department of Tourism with the slogan: “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” is no different.

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“It is about time government puts its money where its campaigns are and invest in badly needed infrastructure which would make it easier for both local and foreign tourists to see the expansive terraces, which are among the most unique of the Philippines’ many attractions,” Ifugao Representative Teddy Baguilat said.

Baguilat said to make it more fun for tourists in the Philippines, tourism infrastructure, particularly access to tourist destinations like roads, air and seaports, must be drastically improved.

“Investments by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the DOT (Department of Tourism) should be prioritized to favor prime tourism areas,” said Baguilat.

Baguilat said Ifugao’s rice terraces and living culture make it one of the country’s prime destinations. However, he said roads to Banaue, Mayoyao and Hungduan which have the most beautiful of these heritage sites are not yet fully paved while the DPWH reasoned it is because allocation is not adequate.

“It seems the DPWH’s pledge to allot tourism infrastructure fund for these Unesco heritage sites has been forgotten,” Baguilat said.

Meanwhile, he said there should also be an immediate need to improve the airport in Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya, to entice regular carriers to service the region.

“The airport improvement will not only benefit Ifugao but also the other tourist destinations in northern Luzon such as Sagada in Mt. Province,” he said.

“Ifugao continues to attract many foreign tourists and we get regular package of Korean and European tourists in our eco-tours but the common complaint is the difficult access,” Baguilat said. “If we improve that, then we will surely get more tourists.” (Rubyloida Bitog)