HOMEOWNERS at the sitios Stonehill, Botiwtiw and Sadjap (StoBoSa) are planning to initiate programs and activities that can nurture the community’s development of the hillside homes artwork in La Trinidad.
Valred Olsim, municipal tourism officer, said the planned StoBoSa community association and promotions and development will led to the organization of community which will be accredited and supported by the municipality.
Olsim advised homeowners to create an organization to display their products hand-woven crafts and items following the ordinance institutionalizing the development programs, pending investment, in the hillside homes artwork.
The tourism officer added business potential of the area includes selling of handy crafts and possible homestay within the area.
In 2016, 180 houses became a canvas, in a project in collaboration with the Department of Tourism (DOT)-Cordillera, the artists of Tam-awan Village, Davies paint, La Trinidad Municipal Government and the Provincial Government of Benguet.
Gloria Agasen, StoBoSa coordinator stressed there is an improvement and increase of tourism in the community but needs to come up with other activities and programs to compensate the increase.
Agasen said they hope to create home lodging as part of their community-led programs and activities that nurtures the promotion and development of their village.
“I am asking other homeowners who have big houses and bigger space for us to have some home-based hotels because we encountered tourists who wanted to stay there and bond with us but the problem is, we are not ready for it. So, I’m advising them that if they have spaces even just a room with complete facilities, it will be reserved for tourists to support this homebased hotels” she said.
Agasen said that at present, they are not collecting fees from tourists but only accept donations which sustains some of maintenance and incentives of volunteer workers.
As a growing tourist destination in La Trinidad, a view deck is being eyed at the hillside art mural. The municipality is also eyeing for the re-panting of the hillside mural this year.
Aside from the view deck, Mayor Romeo Salda said they are also eyeing for the improvement and development of the hanging bridge and presence of restrooms as the capital town is keen on improving its tourism facilities. (With a report from Fionna Mel Felicitas/MMSU intern)