Tuesday, October 02, 2007 Tinglayan aims for eco-cultural destination title
TAKING a step higher in making the town the eco-cultural destination in Kalinga, the Tinglayan Municipal Government is studying that all infrastructures in the town should be patterned on eco-technique designs representing the culture of the place.
Municipal Tourism Officer Noel Macaiba said this scheme is designed to meet the vision of turning the municipality into an eco-tourism destination, where the culture and tradition of the people are preserved and reflected in all development plans of the local government unit (LGU).
Macaiba said to ensure the enforcement of this plan, the LGU came up with a local tourism code regulating all development activities to gear towards the enhancement of the tourism industry.
"Aside from the infrastructures which should be symbolic of the culture, we also include the livelihood practices of the people in agriculture to pursue the traditional or the old ways of farming," he said.
He cited the traditional way of processing rice, which the LGU encourages since it would also enhance the organic production of "unoy" rice in the municipality.
To get the support of the people, Macaiba said part of their tourism-planning package is giving importance to social preparation, requiring the active participation of the people and barangay officials.
"We have to inform and prepare the people on the effects of tourism industry on the 'ili' and on the economy," he said.
To preserve the town as an eco-tourist destination, he said tourism activities must also be regulated and maintained to be sensitive to the culture, being a place of the Binodngans.
"Like in the case of Mount Pulag, we also have to protect our environment and culture, so we recommend that all tourists coming to Tinglayan must have to coordinate with the proper authority in the municipality before doing any activity," he said.
He explained this would not only regulate the coming in of people but also aims to inform visitors on what the place could offer and the "don'ts and do's" so that they would have a safe and enjoyable stay in our municipality.
Macaiba said investors are likewise encouraged to put up businesses that are geared towards the vision of enhancing the culture of the town.
He said Tinglayan as a tourism destination offers a vast adventure activities like whitewater rafting, spelunking, trekking and nature watching.
"We have trained guides and we have also established homestays for tourists who want to experience the way of life of the Ykalingas," he said.
He is inviting the public to join the people of Tinglayan in celebrating the "unoy" festivals this December.
