The Turista sa Barangay Technical Working Group (TWG) of the Iloilo Provincial Government conducted a site assessment of the municipality of Tubungan in support of the move to position the town as an agri-tourism destination.
Tubungan is one of the three identified pilot areas for the Turista sa Barangay program of Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. which is designed to develop the barangay as a community venue for tourism events and activities.
The TWG members assessed the proposed sites at Barangays Igpaho, Igtuble and Batga for the upcoming launch of the town’s "Project Tubong Turismo."
Project Tubong Turismo aims to transform Tubungan into a sustainable agri-tourism hub by integrating tourism, agriculture, and enterprise development.
The provincial team, led by Provincial Administrator Raul Banias and Provincial Tourism Officer Aulynn Yue Sin joined the municipal officials and employees including Mayor Roquito Tacsagon, Vice Mayor Leo Cezar Taypen, and several Sangguniang Bayan Members to evaluate various high-potential sites.
Among the proposed tourism destinations include the serene peace trails at Sitio Gamay Danao and Igpaho Proper, a scenic viewing deck behind the Sitio Danao Tourist Rest Area, and the rock climbing and terraced hiking trail of Sitio Maguey.
At the center of Tubungan’s agri-tourism initiative is Sitio Baldan. The site will host a diverse range of attractions, including an integrated agricultural farm, a livestock multiplier demo farm, and a vibrant flower farm.
There will also be a bamboo plantation to be established in partnership with the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resource Office (PGENRO).
To provide an authentic local experience, the town is developing a range of accommodations in Sitio Danao including the traditional nipa hut (bahay kubo) cottages and scenic mountside camping sites.
Project Tubong Turismo also features a tourism business hub designed to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities for Indigenous People (IP).
To highlight the town’s deep-rooted heritage, some of the identified cultural landmarks are the Cross of Balabago and Bubon Ibid which is a sacred Panaet ritual site in Barangay Batga.
Following the assessment, the TWG members shared recommendations to boost the town’s existing attractions.
The provincial government pledged vital infrastructure support to bolster Tubungan’s tourism amenities and enhance visitor experience. These include construction of a water system and sanitation facilities, provision of streetlights, establishment of an IP Business Hub, expansion of viewing decks, and restoration of cultural heritage sites, among others.
Mayor Tacsagon expressed his gratitude to the IPG team for their guidance on Project Tubong Turismo and for providing the financial backing necessary to bring the town's vision to life.
“Nagapasalamat gid kami sa aton Iloilo provincial government led by our good governor, Gov. Toto Defensor, paagi sa aton Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, sa pagpatigayon sini nga assessment para ma amat-amat man naton plastar ang mga potential areas sa banwa para ini mangin isa ka agri-tourism destination,” Tacsagon said.
Yue Sin commended the municipal leadership under Mayor Tacsagon for their dedication in transforming Tubungan as a major tourism player in Iloilo.