ANGELES CITY – “Matagal na po kaming nawalan ng trabaho dahil sa pandemya, Kaka-umpisa pa lang naming magtrabaho, nagsara na naman at kailangan na pong maghanapbuhay para sa mga pamilya naming.”
Tghus, lamented a worker who asked for anonymity over the continued closure of Puning Hot Spring. A popular thermal spring along the Sacobia River straddling Sitio Target, Angeles City and Barangay Inararo, Porac town.
The worker could well be articulating the sentiments of his peers which, according to the management, number 48 regular workers comprising of therapists, maintenance crew, waitresses, drivers, operators, local guide and on-call workers that reach around 150 workers during peak season.
It is not only the workers that are calling for the reopening of the resort that has gained a devoted following and drawn its share of tourists, both local and foreign, for its sand spa, clay bath, hot pools of varying temperatures, and 4X4 adventures.
Travel and tour agencies are as vocal in their clamor for the resumption of its operations, citing “commitments” with clients.
Up to 40 travel agencies in Angeles City and the Clark Freeport Zone and more in Metro Manila and other parts of the country have been promoting and offering tour packages for the Puning Hot Spring.
This, on top of the resort’s management itself doing aggressive marketing in Asia and Europe in its bid to attract more visitors to visit Pampanga and Clark, especially at the start of the tourist season this October.
In the meantime, Puning Hot Spring management said they are undertaking further improvements in the tourism site.
The trek to Puning from Barangay Sapang Bato to Hot Spring in Barangay Inararo takes 30 minutes by 4×4 jeeps. A guided tour to the hot spring includes the entrance fee, buffet meal, sand spa and mud pack, plus sight-seeing in the scenic location. Punto Lifestyle Team/Photos from Puning FB page
