Eco-tourism development still priority program of Kiangan Ifugao

KIANGAN, Ifugao — Eco- tourism is still cited by this municipality as its pet project for the coming years as it did not yet fully realize the benefits that can be obtained from this industry.

According to Engr. Jos Aguana, municipal planning and development coordinator of this town, they are still harmonizing all efforts to maximize the development of this industry so that all the potential benefits that can be derived to help the people enjoy economic progress will come to fruition in the years to come.

Aguana identified the activities they have undertaken in 2006 relative to this program but admits that these are not enough and many things more has to be done.

This was confirmed by Jill Kwan, a US Peace Corps volunteer serving in this municipality and providing assistance for the attainment of the objectives of the eco-tourism program.

She said that Kiangan is a beautiful place with a reservoir of tourist attractions but which must be aggressively improved to attract and accommodate more of them.

If all of these are developed to their fullest potentials and all facilities are in place to serve the needs and demands of the tourists and visitors, this can greatly help improve the economic situation of the community, she added.

Among the activities undertaken the past years involve the development of some tourist spots such as the clearing of trails and pathways going to Mount Kapugan located at the northern side of this town.

This mountain is a good place for trekking and its altitude provides a nice spot for viewing beautiful sceneries of some villages of the municipality and the neighboring towns of Hingyon and Lagawe.

Another is the improvement of the trail going to the newly discovered but not yet fully explored Pangagawan Cave at barangay Bolog of which a lodging hut was already erected to provide spelunkers shelter as they try to explore the depths of the grotto.

Clearing of trails and construction of cottages were also done at the Bagnit Falls of barangay Julongan and Utu Falls of barangay Ambabagof which some tourists had already visited.

As accommodation of visitors and tourists is somewhat a problem, the municipal government conducted a feasibility study on the management of the sole youth hostel available and meanwhile endeavored in strengthening the home stays of private dwellings that can be tapped to solve the problem.

Documentation and promotion of tourist attractions was also conducted with the production of brochures and other promotional materials coupled with the preparation of tour packages and establishment of websites.

The municipality also established a monitoring system of tourist arrivals by putting up a tourist desk log book to register the entry of tourists and visitors thus making them safe.

To make them feel comfortable and enjoy their stay, policies and guidelines on tourist site management were prepared complemented with the revival of cultural programs such as the “Gotad ad Kiangan” participated by all the barangays during the summer season.

Kwan promised that before she leaves the place as her period of assignment will expire next year, she will see to it that the only hostel of the community will be renovated and improved.

Improvement of the hostel will include the construction of a cafeteria, an entertainment bar and other amenities. (PIA Ifugao)