Bill promotes farms as tourist spots

MANILA, Philippines - Local and foreign tourists interested in experiencing life on a farm could add farm visits to their travel itinerary once House Bill 3745 becomes a law.

“Milking cows, fruit-picking, harvesting vegetables, fishing, horseback riding, watching butterflies, tending bees, tasting wines or juices, and sight-seeing are just some of the exciting recreational and educational activities that tourists can do in a farm tourist spot,” Rep. Sharon Garin of party-list group AAMBIS-OWA, the bill’s author, said yesterday.

Garin said farms could become viable tourism destinations if the proposed Farm Tourism Act is enacted.

“The fusion of tourism and agriculture will benefit both sectors as it will boost the country’s economy by improving the income and potential economic viability of small farms and rural communities.” she said.

The lawmaker said the House committee on tourism has heard the views of farm owners, tourism officers, agriculture experts, and other stakeholders and government officials in several hearings.

She said street food vendor-turned millionaire-farm owner Desiree Duran of San Ildefonso, Bulacan is living proof that farm tourism is a viable economic venture.

Garin said Duran started farming in 2001 by planting off-season vegetables until her backyard lot grew into a 3.6-hectare farm that is now known as Duran Farm.

She said Duran’s lot has become a farm tourism destination in Luzon, where local and foreign visitors go to learn the best practices in vegetable production.

The bill seeks to create the Philippine Farm Tourism Industry Development Coordinating Council under the Department of Tourism to ensure the development and promotion of farm tourism in the country.