TUBUNGAN, ILOILO — The Department of Tourism (DOT) recently led the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a soon-to-rise sustainable rest area for tourists in Sitio Baldan, Barangay Igpaho, promising to enhance eco-tourism in the region.
Tourism Secretary Cristina Frasco signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) last Friday, August 23, with Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) Assistant Chief Operating Officer Jetro Nicolas Lozada to start the P10-million project.
Iloilo Provincial Tourism Officer Gilbert Marin and DOT Western Visayas Director Crisanta Marlene Rodriguez witnessed the signing ceremony.
“The town may be small but is big in heart and has even bigger potential,” Frasco said in her keynote address.
“Our hope is that this tourist rest area will continue to support Tubungan’s successful tourism initiatives and fulfill the municipality’s tourism aspirations along with its neighboring LGUs (local government units).”
Frasco highlighted the DOT’s commitment to sustainability through the incorporation of solar power facilities and a rainwater catchment system for the facility.
“Our tourist rest area intends to be sustainable and will support Tubungan’s ecotourism initiatives, which I understand is the top priority here in the LGU (local government unit),” she explained.
The rest area will feature essential amenities including restrooms, a shower area, and a souvenir center for micro, small, and medium enterprises to showcase and sell local products. It will also serve as a platform for Indigenous Peoples to display their artworks and other cultural expressions.
Tubungan Mayor Roquito Tacsagon expressed gratitude for the project, anticipating that it will attract more tourists to the town. “We hope this will attract more tourists,” he said.
According to Gilbert Marin, the Barangay Igtuble area is a prime eco-tourism destination, accessible to nearby attractions in Antique. “It is very good for biking and hiking activities. It offers a beautiful panoramic view of areas between Iloilo and Negros, as well as parts of Antique,” he noted.
The area also has a cool climate, similar to Barangay Bucari in Leon town, often referred to as the “Little Baguio of Iloilo.”
The project’s development reflects a broader commitment to fostering eco-tourism and providing sustainable infrastructure that benefits both visitors and local communities.
