The Awichon Cultural Village in the municipality of Lubuagan is one of the most visited destinations in Kalinga
TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Visitors and travelers are urged to patronize accredited tourism enterprises and visit validated tourist sites for a safe and quality experience.
Supervising Tourism Operations Officer Lorraine Ngao-i highlighted that establishments accredited by the Department of Tourism (DOT) have met standards in terms of facilities, services, and operations, offering a better and more reliable experience for visitors.
“This upcoming Holy Week, many travelers from outside the province and inter-municipality will be visiting tourist destinations and religious areas. Many will require restaurants, accommodations, tours, and transportation. We strongly advise everyone to patronize DOT-accredited tourism enterprises, which have complied with the department’s minimum standards to ensure quality operations,” she said.
Ngao-i also cautioned the public against going to sites such as rivers and streams that have not yet undergone validation by authorities, as these have not been properly assessed for safety.
“I also advise people not to patronize natural resources that are not yet validated by the local government, like those rivers and streams, for both tourist and environmental safety,” she said.
Ngao-i also urged vigilance against scams and fraudulent offers online.
“The public is advised to stay updated on travel-related news and safety guidelines from credible sources and to be cautious of unsolicited messages or offers, particularly from anonymous sources or unverified social media platforms or accounts,” she stated.
Since culture is the primary reason that tourists visit the province, Ngao-i also stressed the importance of respecting the culture of the Kalinga communities and adhering to local laws. (JDP/IOS-PIA CAR, Kalinga)
