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THE
Department of Tourism (DOT) in Central Luzon has revived
its proposal to transform a portion of the 5,724-hectare
Sacobia Valley in the Bamban, Tarlac and Mabalacat,
Pampanga, area into a camping holiday destination.
Central Luzon regional tourism director Ronaldo Tiotuico said he has
presented his longstanding proposal to Janet Lazatin,
newly appointed assistant secretary for health, sports
and wellness at the DOT in Manila, who has committed to
develop Central Luzon as one of the pillars of health
and wellness.
Lazatin
said the Sacobia Valley, being at the heart of the
sprawling Clark free port-zone, has the makings of a
virtual beehive of tourism-related activities, a
singular haven for camping and ecotourism activities
with its vast expanse of virgin forest, range of
mountain peaks, valleys and hills, and an exuberantly
rolling terrain.
The
existence of a chain of waterfalls, profuse streambeds
and natural springs speaks well of its natural beauty
and majestic appeal to visitors, including a host of
indigenous communities which add a unique brand of
character to its cultural heritage.
“It
remains to be one of the few places in the region with
endless opportunities for tourism and travel. The valley
is profuse in sports, health and adventure-related
activities, like trekking, mountain climbing, river
rafting and crossing, cave exploration, rappelling and
outdoor living exercises, such as corporate
team-building sessions and spiritual renewal,” Lazatin
said.
“Jungle-survival lessons in the art of fire-making,
water-extraction from vines and natural healing
techniques courtesy of the Aeta community may be offered
on a regular basis,” Lazatin added.
The DOT
proposal augurs well for hundreds of Aetas whose
environmental conservation and ecological practices are
never wanting due to their long history of survival in
the highlands of the forbidding terrain of the Zambales
mountain range.
The
camping holiday proposal entails the construction of 50
portable but sturdy tents, complete with
environment-friendly fixtures like beds, tables and
chairs, kitchen and lounging area, with each tent
accompanied by a clearing for parking and an outdoor
grill for family cookouts.
Day or
overnight camping may be offered any day of the week
with culture-bound communities serving as host guides,
porters, housekeepers and homestay hosts.
Mountain
bikes, ATVs, rappelling gear and equipment may be rented
out to visitors. Prices for facilities and services vary
on the choice of equipment and standards of
accommodation. Later, caravans and motor homes may be
offered for rent.
A pool
of professional trainers in mountain climbing, jungle
survival, caving and related outdoor exercises will be
formed to complete the camping holiday destination
program for visitors.
Lazatin
emphasized that the ideal scenario is to build
nonpermanent structures in the community to maintain its
rustic landscape and natural setting and not get in the
way of Clark’s proposed master development plan for the
area.
The
camping site should be situated outside the subzone but
preferably within reach of the Aetas and close to the
estate’s pristine natural wonders.
For his
part, newly appointed Clark Development Corp. (CDC)
president Benigno Ricafort signified a plan to
resuscitate the former LERT, or Leisure Entertainment
and Resort for Tourists, program of CDC to emphasize
this time on leisure, entertainment, recreation and
tourism as the anchor attractions in Clark. |
