Sagada to be transformed into 'Walking City,' DOT says

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism said Sagada Town in Mt. Province will be transformed into a “walking city.”

"We've agreed and I think they're implementing it via rural ordinance na gawing Walking City na ang Sagada," Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said late February during the launch of the renewed “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” campaign.

Puyat said she and the local government unit of Sagada made the decision to avoid the huge trucks and vehicles in its roads. This will pave way for tourists and locals to enjoy the town by foot.

Last December, vans of tour agencies conquered the narrow streets of Sagada making it more congested to tourists and locals.

Aside from this ordinance, Puyat said the local officials of LGU are also implementing anti-litter rules as part of its sustainability campaign.

This rule is especially implemented in Kiltepan peak, one of the top tourist destinations in the province. She cited that there was an influx of tourists in Kiltepan peak after it was featured in the movie “That Thing Called Tadhana.”

The DOT chief said the provinces in the Cordillera Administrative Region will be part of its rehabilitation programs.

Puyat mentioned Baguio, Ifugao, as well as the Banaue Rice Terraces as among the tourist destinations to be looked into. She added that the government already allotted budget for those, citing that it has P50 million for the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Banaue Rice Terraces, which is also named one of the eight wonders of the world.