The plan is among the major components of the agency's project on eco-tourism development for Sagada and Banaue.
Enhancing the information and communications technology in Cordillera is expected to boost the competitiveness of the region's tourism industry, the DOST said.
The proposed Internet connection, with a budget of P6 million, would be established in the ethnic villages that would be identified and in tourist information centers.
It further aims to provide the medium for digital (travel) transactions directly from consumers to service providers.
It also targets to improve the provision of information needs of stakeholders of the tourism industry and to lower traditional communication costs of local tourism-related businesses.
The development of an online database for Sagada and Banaue is one of the high impact projects being proposed by the DOST.
Initial funding for the proposal amounts to a total of P97.1 million, including expenses for monitoring.
The online database would complement the plan to strengthen existing local tourist information centers by focusing on the promotion and advocacy components. (JC)
