BANAUE Ifugao – The Department of Tourism, in partnership with Davies Paints,will implement a community enhancement project in two communities of the Banaue Rice Terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The project is part of the DOT Rev – Bloom program, an initiative of DOT Cordillera Regional Director Venus Marie Tan that aims to re – visit, rev – up and revitalize prime tourist destinations in Baguio City and the rest of the Cordilleras.
One popular Rev – Bloom project of DOT – CAR, in partnership with Davies Paints, is the Mural Community Painting of STOBOSA (Stone Hill, Botiwtiw and Sadjap) along Kilometer 3, La Trinidad, Benguet.
For the Banaue Rice Terraces project, it will involve around 6,000 square meters of rooftops and roofs along the Batad rice terraces and the rooftops of around 429 houses and structures in Bocos village.
The project was officially launched during the Imbayah Festival last April 29, with Tan, Davies Paints Phl Marketing Communications Manager Joann Virina, Banaue Mayor Jerry Dalipog, Ifugao Governor Pedro Mayam – o and other local officials unveiling the project design beside the rice terraces marker in front of the municipal tourism office.
Tan outlined that such initiative is part of the Rev – Bloom program of the DOT which primarily aims to help sustain the UNESCO World heritage title, wherein aside from the efforts to restore the grandeur of the rice terraces, must also include the enhancement of the communities within.
Development is bringing in more houses and structures within the rice terraces communities wherein instead of native materials are now using concrete and galvanized iron roofing, thus the project aims to enhance them to blend with the natural beauty of the terraces, Tan stressed.
Tan also called for a partnership with the concerned communities for the community enhancement (painting) project as they are the first to be befitted of such program. At the same time, she also encouraged the people of Banaue especially those along the roads and within the town to help in the re – greening and beautification efforts for the sustainable tourism development of this town that is among the prime tourist destinations in Cordillera.
Virina, for Davies Paints part, said they are very excited for this community enhancement project in Banaue.She disclosed that they are developing unique colours in the shade of brown and green that will naturally blend with the rice terraces.
Dalipog also affirmed the municipal government gratitude and support to the DOT – Davies program that he outlined as aligned to their tourism development plan. /JDP/CCD – PIA CAR
