TOURISM PARTNERS, STAKEHOLDERS RECOGNIZED IN 1ST LA TRINIDAD TOURISM AWARDS

October 7, 2023 Provincial

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet

The local government of La Trinidad recognized tourism- related establishments, advocates, guides, operators, tourism sites and other partners and stakeholders for their efforts in strengthening and improving the tourism industry in the municipality thru the 1st La Trinidad Tourism Awards. Mayor Romeo Salda and Vice Mayor Roderick Awingan with the members of the
Municipal Council handed plaques and certificates to the awardees in a ceremony at the Municipal Gymnasium on September 29, 2023.

Awarded as the Tourism Project Supporter of the Year is Benguet Congressman Eric Go Yap who personally received his award. Tourism Institutional Partners are the Department of Tourism-Cordillera, Benguet State University, the Cordillera Career Development College(CCDC), King’s College of the Philippines, Esgala Travel and Tours, and the Philippine Information Agency –
Cordillera. Recognized as the Barangay Tourism Events of the Year are The G-String Marathon
of Barangay Ambiong and the 5th Potted Flower Festival of barangay Alapang.

Awarded as the Community Tourism Partners are Barangay Balili and the STOBOSA Community.
The Living Gifts Nursery is the Farm Tourism Site of the Year; Sinner or Saints Café for Souvenir Item of the Year, the La Trinidad MSMEs as the Tourism Entrepreneur Group of the Year, and the La Trinidad Municipal Employees Association Cultural Dance Troupe is the Cultural Dance Troupe of the Year. Recognized as Tourism Social Media Influencers of the Year are Gorgeous George and
the Ibadoya Teacher.

Awarded as the Tourism Advocate of the Year is CCDC President Dr. Sherry Junette Tagle while Tour Guide of the Year is Ariel Layugan. Other recipients of certificates of recognition are the other tourists attractions in the municipality namely Admirals Park, Cosmic Park, Pugad ni Art, Living Gifts, Mt. Kalugong Cultural Village, Sagpawe Hidden Garden, Darjane’s Garden, Avong nen
Romy, Mount Costa Kiyomie’s Garden, Lola Nilda Agri-tourism Park, Lily of the Valley, Jardencia
en Macetas, Angel’s Garden, Nami’s Flower Garden, Mt. Tayawan Agri-tourist Park, Rocky Mountain Adventure, Farm to Cup / DIY Brew, Sadjatan Viewpoint, and Bahong Sunflower Farm, as well as tourism-related establishments – La Trinidad Homestay, and Seikai Travel and Tours.

Team Lakay also received certificate of recognition for sports tourism. Salda expressed gratitude
to the various stakeholders for their continued programs and activities in relation to promoting tourism in the municipality. Awingan acknowledged that the tourism industry in the municipality is still young, thus he encouraged the participation, collaboration and cooperation of partners,
stakeholders and including the residents for its further development.

In his message, Yap vowed to work closely with the tourism sector at the provincial and municipal levels and the barangays to improve the tourism industry in the province. He said it is his goal to
make Benguet a world-class tourism destination that would lead to the jobs and income and
eventually the improvement of the lives of the people. “Tourism is the key. Kung palalakasin natin ang tourism malaki ang potential natin sa Benguet. Mas giginhawa at gaganda ang buhay natin with the improvement of tourism. Lahat po ng makakatulong sa tourism ng Benguet we should all use it,” Yap said.

For La Trinidad, the lawmaker said that the next Strawberry Festival will level up in its events. He hopes for a repeat of the serving of the Largest Strawberry Shortcake that entered in the Guinness
Book of World Records in March 2004. The 1st La Trinidad Tourism Awards was part of the town’s Tourism Week celebration institutionalized thru Municipal Ordinance No. 36- 2018. The Tourism Week activities aim to instill consciousness on tourism as an instrument of progress towards
accelerated local development and investments, and the appreciation and promotion of the locality’s culture, identity, and stories.

(JDP/RMC/ PIA CAR -Jamica Ragudo & Santi Tomas- SLU Interns)