Monday, September 15, 2008 Locals realize tourism as livelihood gain
WITH more and more provinces creating their own brand of festivals in the region, the potential of tourism in enhancing the livelihood of people in the countryside is now realized by the people of the Cordillera.
The establishment of home stay and community immersion programs and the put-up of business establishments in developing tour destinations are just of the few evidences that people have welcomed tourism as a source of income.
The now three-year-old Lang-ay festival of Bontoc, although it became an inconvenience to some businessmen and the residents because they had to work double time to cater to the demands of tourists, the income generated from the yearly activity nonetheless, gained fruit, said Tourism Regional Director Purificacion Molintas.
Income from home stay programs also goes directly to the owners of the house, Molintas said. "Local folks are now more aggressive in the promotion of community immersion programs."
This potential is in fact highly developed in the province of Ifugao. Molintas said Ifugao is the only province that has developed and sustained festivals in every municipality.
At present, Ifugao, through the non-government organization Save the Ifugao Terraces Movement (Sitmo) is offering guided tours in several parts of the province.
The tours include not only sightseeing but also community immersion. This month, Ifugao is celebrating the The Bakle ad Kiangan, or the thanksgiving ritual to the gods for a bountiful harvest.
In Bontoc, apart from strengthening the Lang-ay and other festivals, the local government has tapped the youth sector to research on the untold story of the province. The results of the research will be published in a coffee table book. (RO)
