CARING for the newly formed community the Department of Tourism has unconsciously created will continue.
Department of Tourism regional director for the Cordilleras Marie Venus Tan said the communities of StoBoSa (Stone Hill, Botiwtiw, Sadjap) will continue to receive technical assistance from the department as well as stakeholders to sustain the attention the area has gotten since its mountainside murals were created.
Tan said the second phase of the project is now to empower the community to handle its new found fame and create opportunities for the community to earn.
The tourism official said industries within the community can be tapped like weaving, basketry, jewellery making and crafts to open avenues possible business.
The area, since its launch has become a tourist attraction, pushing the local government of La Trinidad and the province of Benguet to allot funding for the improvement parking spaces, view decks and waiting shed.
The La Trinidad design was made by a local artist team from Tam –Awan Village headed by Jordan Mang-osan, Ged Alangui, Jenny Lorenzo and Clinton Aniversario. Combination of their works is what is now seen to be almost completed on the mountainside homes of StoBoSa.
Aside from the residents, the Philippine National Police has pitched in; academe has sent their students, artists and photo enthusiasts, making it a community project.
The StoBoSa area is eyed to become a sustainable tourism attraction where community involvement will be spurred as well as projects which will translate to income generating ventures for residents.