LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) – In a bid to preserve a piece of Filipino heritage, Laoag City is taking proactive steps to revitalize its iconic kalesa industry.
The horse-drawn carriages, once a common sight in the city, have faced challenges due to modernization and the COVID-19 pandemic.
To address these issues, the city government has implemented a series of innovative tourism initiatives aimed at boosting the economic viability of the kalesa operators.
According to City Tourism Officer Angel Lao, the kalesa industry has suffered a significant decline in recent years.
“There were around 70 kalesa operators in the city before the pandemic. During the pandemic, most of the kutseros (kalesa drivers) had to switch jobs in order to make a living. Based on our record, only 30 kutseros are left operating. All of these operators are 50 years old and above,” she explained.
To prevent the decrease, the City Tourism Office has implemented initiatives, which include giving them exposure to major events in the city as well as having continuous dialogue to know the proper assistance they can give to the operators.
This year, Lao said they will be adding additional projects to improve the industry, like a kalesa tourism package, developing a new parking space, a beautification program, and the development of a kalesa route.
In this new tourism package, they will be partnering with kalesa operators, market vendors, and local restaurants to bring a gastronomical experience to tourists and even locals.
“In the market-to-table package, clients will ride the kalesa as a transport in going to the local market, where clients will buy ingredients, then go to local restaurants for a cooking demonstration of Ilokano dishes. This package will benefit the three sectors,” she explained.
A beautification program is also in the works to repaint old kalesas with the help of local schools, architects, and private organizations in the city.
The tourism officer added that they are also developing a kalesa route to help improve traffic management in the city.
Finally, the tourism office is also developing a parking space for kalesas with ample shade, water, food, and a grooming area for horses.
This project is still in the planning stage, according to Lao.
Angel Francisco, a kutsero from Barangay Bulangon, is among those hoping to benefit from these new projects.
“I have been a kutsero for about 45 years. These days, I make about P300 to P400 daily. Working as a kutsero helped my family a lot. It helped provide for my children’s education, and it served meals on our table,” he shares.
Lao encourages the public to support kutseros to help preserve the industry for the next generation.
“We can help preserve the kalesa industry by simply riding in it, letting kids experience riding in it, and sharing stories of our experience in riding it to encourage more people. Try to go around the city using a kalesa. Yes, it is slow in pace, but it is safe, more historic, more meaningful, and more Ilokano,” she said. (AMB/EJFG/PJP/PIA Ilocos Norte)
