DOT lauds Benguet’s regreening work

THE Department of Tourism (DOT) has lauded the province of Benguet for its regreening efforts, according to DOT Regional Director Purificacion Ms
olintas.

Molintas said the province instantly adopted the highway regreening program of the DOT and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the last quarter of the year during its celebration of the annual Adivay.

“[The province] have begun this by making it as a contest during the Adivay festival,” Molintas said.

The DOT is focusing on the improvement of tourism highways in a bid to make tourist destinations more accessible for visitors, a partnership with the DPWH.

Molintas said flowering plants, colorful trees and vines to decorate and beautify the stretch of Halsema highway. “They can plant bougainvilleas and other less expensive plants along the road,” he said.

The DPWH has required contractors to help in the advocacy by directing them to plant tree and flowers along major roads.

The DOT has asked all areas to adopt the program and said it is the Benguet province which has been most receptive so far.

In recent years, the province was known for “cloud catching” with elevations so high in the hinterland trails, tourist can take majestic photographs of the mountains engulfed in clouds, marveling the formations along the Halsema Highway.

Along the Halsema road there are now functional comfort rooms for tourists plying the area, recent addition are stations in Poblacion–Itogon–Baguio road with five toilets for the public, he said.