A clustered tourism village in Hungduan, Ifugao has been named the region’s best tourism village for 2022.
The Hapao-Baang-Nungulunan Clustered tourism village in Hungduan, Ifugao was named the Department of Tourism – Cordillera’s best tourism village for 2022, the agency announced this week.
The Hungduan villagers received PhP1 million, a trophy and a token from DoT assistant secretary Christopher Morales and DoT-Cordillera director Jovita Ganongan during the awarding ceremony last Thursday at the Cameron Forbes ballroom of the Baguio Country Club.
Sagada, Mountain Province’s Pidlisan Village took second place and received Php500,000, as well as a trophy and a token.
The Naneng Heritgae Village in Tabuk, Kalinga took third place honors that includes a PhP 200,000 cash reward, a trophy and token.
The La Diyang Haven in Tuba, Benguet was adjudged runner-up and received Php100,000.00, a certificate, and a token along with the Slow Food Community in Pasil, Kalinga managed by Lam-en Gonnay with partner Rowena Gonnay.
The other villages among the runners-up are: Marag Tourism Village in barangay Marag, Luna, Apayao, the Balbalasang Proper “Pasual” in Balbalasang, Balbalan, Kalinga and the Bila Tourism Village in Bauko, Mt. Province
The search recognizes villages for embracing tourism as opportunities for growth and attaining sustainable development in rural areas.
The criteria for judging include sustainable management; socioeconomic; cultural and environmental sustainability.
Agriculture has always been a part of sustainable village tourism as it provides resources for food consumption and is the background of rural landscapes.
Morales again emphasized DoT’s campaign that no tourist destination should be left behind.
The DoT Cordillera launched the search in December last year. Pigeon Lobien
