CAPAS, Tarlac – The Department of Tourism (DOT) and this town’s Mayor Antonio Rodriguez have joined hands to resurrect a multi-awarded tourism project involving treks to the summit of Mt. Pinatubo from Barangay Sta. Juliana here for the benefit of Aeta cultural folk.
DOT regional director Ronaldo Tiotuico said the eco-tourism trekking project dubbed “Kabuhayan sa Turismo” will resume early next year. It was stopped in 2004 after a former local official designated a Korean firm as the sole operator of trekking events to the volcanic summit.
Before the project was stopped in 2004, it was awarded two international and one national awards, namely the Gold Award for best ecotourism project from the Pacitic Asia Travel Association (PATA) in 2001, the Kalakbay Award from the national government in 2001 and best ecotourism project award from the ASEAN Tourism Association in 2002.
The project was initially launched by the DOT in 1999 after a safe access trail to Mt. Pinatubo’s summit was found in Barangay Sta. Juliana.
It is where some 600 Aeta folk based themselves to serve as porters and guides for trekkers and even as operators of “homestay programs” for tourists who also want to experience how the tribal folk live.
Rodriguez said he was confident that his joint undertaking with the DOT on the project “will again spur the development of the forlorn village of Sta. Juliana and the town in general as a major destination.”
“It is about time that the town be known as the only gateway to Mt. Pinatubo crater and hence transform the community into the most favored destination,” he said, noting that other routes towards Mt. Pinatubo’s summit had been proven too dangerous.
Tiotuico said he has already invited 200 guests to join first trek reviving the livelihood program for Aetas. They will include government officials, media groups, professionals, tourism stakeholders and trekking enthusiasts, he added.
DOT regional director Ronaldo Tiotuico said the eco-tourism trekking project dubbed “Kabuhayan sa Turismo” will resume early next year. It was stopped in 2004 after a former local official designated a Korean firm as the sole operator of trekking events to the volcanic summit.
Before the project was stopped in 2004, it was awarded two international and one national awards, namely the Gold Award for best ecotourism project from the Pacitic Asia Travel Association (PATA) in 2001, the Kalakbay Award from the national government in 2001 and best ecotourism project award from the ASEAN Tourism Association in 2002.
The project was initially launched by the DOT in 1999 after a safe access trail to Mt. Pinatubo’s summit was found in Barangay Sta. Juliana.
It is where some 600 Aeta folk based themselves to serve as porters and guides for trekkers and even as operators of “homestay programs” for tourists who also want to experience how the tribal folk live.
Rodriguez said he was confident that his joint undertaking with the DOT on the project “will again spur the development of the forlorn village of Sta. Juliana and the town in general as a major destination.”
“It is about time that the town be known as the only gateway to Mt. Pinatubo crater and hence transform the community into the most favored destination,” he said, noting that other routes towards Mt. Pinatubo’s summit had been proven too dangerous.
Tiotuico said he has already invited 200 guests to join first trek reviving the livelihood program for Aetas. They will include government officials, media groups, professionals, tourism stakeholders and trekking enthusiasts, he added.
