Tabuk City, Kalinga – Three communities in Kalinga made it to the list of 12 shortlisted villages in Cordillera in the ongoing Search for the 2024 Best Cordillera Tourism Village.
Said villages were among those that applied for the search, evaluated, and qualified by the screening committee of the contest.
These include the Bantay Tourism Village in Tabuk City, the Lubo Village in Tanudan, Kalinga, and the Tawang Tourism Village, particularly the Liyang Sanctuary Village in Balbalan, Kalinga.
Interagency site validations and ocular inspections were conducted in these areas led by the Department of Tourism – Cordillera. The first village visited is that of Balbalan, which showcased not only the natural beauty of the place but also its unique heritage and cultural treasures.
The next was at the Bantay Tourism Village in Tabuk City, which is known as the “Fruit Basket Capital of Tabuk City”. The validators saw fruit farms in the community and were welcomed with warm hospitality.
The last stop of the validators was the majestic “Lubo Village,” known for its rich history, rice terraces, pristine river and wonderful people, bound by their rich culture and traditions.
These villages were judged based on sustainable management (25%), socio-economic and rural economic development sustainability (25%), cultural sustainability (25%), and environmental sustainability (25%).
Last year’s winner, to recall is a village hailing from the province, Barangay Bagumbayan in Tabuk City, also known as “The Coffee Village,”. The village was awarded P1,000,000.
Aside from the three villages in the province, other villages in the region have the chance to be chosen for the title.
There are two for Abra – the Daguioman Tourism Village in Daguioman, and Heritage Houses of Licuan-Baay. As for Ifugao, three were shortlisted – the Kalipkip-Busilac Ecotourism Park in Alfonso Lista, the Damag, Jacmal and Bunhian Sustainable Tourism Village in Aguinaldo, and the Batad Village in Banaue.
As for Mt. Province, Barlig Poblacion Tourism Village in Barlig and Napua Agri-Tourism Village – Sabangan made it to the list. There are also two in Benguet – the Barangay Shilan Community Tourism Village in La Trinidad and the La-Diyang Haven Community in Tuba.
Results will be out soon following the judging activities. As announced, winners shall be receiving a total of P2 million in cash prizes.
First place winner is entitled to P1 million, second prize – P500,000, and third prize winner– P200,000. Three runners-up, meantime, will be given P100,000 each.
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