FEATURE (October 6 – October 12, 2008) Discovering IN’s hidden paradise By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Writer THE PROVINCE of Ilocos Norte is famous for its cultural heritage sites, pristine beaches, a home for great leaders, and just recently, the first to put up an environment-friendly wind power plant in the whole Southeast Asia. But there is more in the province that every Ilocano should be proud of. Several must-see places for visitors—especially for those who are looking for pleasure, thrill and excitement as well as education and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Chen Mencias, a consultant on sustainable tourism planning and environmental management said: “There is more to Ilocos than what is usually promoted.” Mencias and her husband, Louie, served as resource speakers during the two-day seminar on Basic Environment and Tourism Course where 67 participants from various local government units in Region 1 and other tourism stakeholders had a workshop and exposure trip to the white rock formation, locally known as “Kapurpurawan” and to the Kaangrian Falls, both located in Burgos, Ilocos Norte. “I thought that Burgos is only known for the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse. It was only yesterday that I discovered, Burgos has a lot of amazing treasures,” Mencias said in an interview at the Palazzo de Laoag Hotel on September 26, where the seminar was conducted. “I’m quite impressed. There are really amazing hidden treasures and paradise in Ilocos,” she added. On September 25, Burgos Mayor Cresente Garcia led participants to the eco-tourism sites in the town where the group trekked the town’s white rock formation and waterfalls. Describing the eco-tourism sites in Burgos as “fragile because they are so natural,” the Department of Tourism consultant said the local government units, including the DOT and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, should “work hard” to ensure conservation and protection of these valuable treasures in the Ilocandia. In order to have a sustainable tourism development, Mencias stressed during the seminar the need for a tourism “master plan” that each local government unit should have in cooperation with tourism stakeholders as well as active involvement of the local community. According to the Mencias couple, the plan will serve as a guide and an effort to control the impact and manage changes that tourism will bring to the community. For his part, Garcia assured that his administration would ensure the sustainable development of eco-tourism in the area as he reported that the municipality has allotted funds for road improvement and a proper waste disposal facility to protect the town’s rich natural resources. On the same day, the municipality in cooperation with local communities, the Department of Education, non-government organizations and private companies conducted tree planting near the waterfalls to preserve its natural beauty. Garcia further stressed that host communities are actively involved in eco-tourism promotion after they became aware that the multi-faceted tourism industry provides them additional livelihood and employment opportunities. Meanwhile, Ma. Milagros R. Gonzales of the DOT Laoag sub-office, said Burgos’ eco-tourism sites have been identified for site inspection and validation purposes. Other proposed eco-tourism sites in Ilocos Norte are also presently under exploration, she added. The two-day eco-tourism seminar was organized by the DOT in cooperation with the DENR-Protected Areas, Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management based in San Fernando City, La Union. In line with the protection of natural resources, forester Lorenzo Agaloos of DENR-Region I said their department has tapped the active involvement of local communities for them to become empowered and educated in environment stewardship. With limited resources, Agaloos said the people from the community must help one another and assist environment officers and authorities to ensure the sustainable development of the tourism industry that runs parallel to the protection of the environment. Ilocos Times copyright 2008 Back to top

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