BUGUIAS, Benguet -- Here lies the great Apo Anno whose resting area is planned to be turned into a hallowed park.
Buguias Mayor Ruben Tinda-an is pushing to develop the area in Sitio Nabalicong, Barangay Natubleng where mummy Apo Anno was buried for tourism.
Tinda-an asserted the need to secure an expansion of the resting place of Apo Anno which can be visited, serve as picnic area, and for this “to be develop as natural as possible.”
A well-known hunter, Apo Anno’s mummy was stolen in 1920’s from his burial cave but was brought back home on May 21, 1999.
At present, the area where Apo Anno rests is being taken care of by Barangay Natubleng with a team from the National Museum regularly visiting.
Tinda-an is soliciting for plans and architectural design for the conversion of the area into a park where funding will be coming from the revenue allotment of the local government unit.
In 2017, the LGU has also tapped the regional office of Department of Tourism to assist them in their proposal in making the area into a park.
Plans for development will be coordinated with the local and barangay sector to prepare for visitors and locals to enjoy the natural view of the place, he added.
When visiting the soon to be sacred park, visitors should directly coordinate with the barangay of Buguias. No one is allowed to enter and view the tomb without undergoing a ritual that will be conducted composed of butchering of animal that of the traditional and customary laws.
The executive chief said the municipality is focusing on its tourism industry to be utilized as an alternative income for the town aside from production of vegetable, which the municipality is known for.
Known as the “vegetable panorama of the north” vegetable farming is the main source of income for the 14 barangays.
Aside from Natubleng, other areas where stone coffins are located include Barangay Sebang, Bangsalan-Baculongan Norte, Dekkan in Baculongan Sur has been eyed as potential tourism sites according to Tinda-an, but not yet developed.