Wow: Philippines

by Rochelle Gamboa-Hilario

A tour of Bulacan’s historic landmarks aboard a romantic banca ride, anyone?

The Department of Tourism (DOT) recently disclosed plans for a coastal tourism campaign which will commence with the launch of the Calumpit River Tour Program in June this year.
The tour itinerary will start at the 16th century St. John the Baptist Church at the Poblacion and winds through barangays Apo Iru Gatbuca, Caniogan-Sto.Niño-Bagbag Bridge, Sergio Bayan and Buguion.

Visitors will have the chance to ride the native canoe or banca during the guided river tour, which will pass through several tourist attractions such as ancestral houses, old bridges, historical landmarks/shrines, antique churches with religious icons and luscious gardens. The river tourists will also experience craft demonstrations of native mats, potteries, baskets, fans, hats and delicacies and even fiberglass manufacturing.

The bancas will be embellished with local color including the design of the "ulang", which is a variety of freshwater lobster abundant in Calumpit River. Banca riders will be serenaded by local musicians and singers featuring the beautiful compositions of Bulacan artists. The museum at the Visitors Information Center will highlight the history, the vanishing arts and crafts, as well as the floral and fauna of the town and province.

Tourism Undersecretary for Planning, Product Development and Coordination Evelyn Pantig said that the river tour program is a brainchild of Tourism Secretary Richard J. Gordon after his visit and discussions with Mayor Ramon M. Pagdanganan during last year's Calumpit town fiesta.

A memorandum of agreement between the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA), DOT's infrastructural arm, and the Municipal Government of Calumpit, was signed last February 11 to formalize the commitment between PTA General Manager Robert Dean Barbers and Mayor Pagdanganan to develop, improve, conserve, construct and maintain river tour facilities in the town for the benefit and enjoyment of domestic and foreign tourists and the general public.

The river tour program was organized by the DOT and the Philippine Tourism Authority in collaboration with the local government of Calumpit led by Mayor Pagdanganan and the Philippine Tour Operators Association, Inc. (PHILTOA).

A Visitors Information Center and four floating docks will be constructed at the site. The center will have a museum, souvenir stalls and comfort facilities. Calumpit boatmen and tour guides have been trained and accredited by the DOT early this month (April) to conduct the river tour in Calumpit, which is the oldest municipality among the 24 towns of Bulacan province.

Undersecretary Pantig added that the Calumpit River Tour will also promote other tourist attractions of Bulacan as well as various accommodations and recreational facilities like the DJ Paradise Resort and Hotel in Malolos, Sitio Lucia Resort in Sta. Maria and 8 Waves Water Park in San Rafael. Homestay programs with selected Calumpit residences will be undertaken. Overnight tour packages will link the Calumpit River Tour with nearby tourist attractions in Clark, Subic and Mt. Pinatubo. *

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