Manila: Abra Representative JB Bernos is advocating for the designation of the province as a Tourism and Cultural Heritage Area, aiming to foster sustainable, inclusive, and culturally-rooted tourism development.
According to Philippines News Agency, House Bill 3120, also known as the Abra Tourism and Cultural Heritage Development bill, seeks to prioritize Abra as a tourism development area and establish a comprehensive framework for its sector's growth. The bill provides a policy and programmatic foundation to leverage tourism as a catalyst for inclusive progress and rural transformation in Abra.
House Bill 3120 also proposes the institutionalization and promotion of flagship events, such as the Kawayan Festival, which underscores Abra's identity as a leading bamboo-producing area and emphasizes the significance of local culture in tourism and economic development. Additionally, the measure mandates the creation of a 10-year Abra Tourism Development Framework, which aims to identify tourism development zones, establish guidelines for ecotourism, heritage conservation, and cultural protection, and assess the potential impact of development on environmental safety and community well-being.
The bill also advocates for a comprehensive cultural mapping project to identify sites, practices, and artifacts of historical and cultural value. Abra is renowned for its attractions, including Kaparkan Falls, the 19th-century Baroque Saint Catherine of Alexandria Parish Church, and Tangadan Tunnel. The province is also home to centuries-old Tingguian cultural traditions, as well as weaving and bamboo crafts, which are celebrated during the Kawayan Festival.
In a statement, Bernos expressed his belief in the necessity of a special designation for the province to further protect its natural and cultural resources. "Abra is blessed not only with various natural wonders, but also with a rich culture and heritage that can still be witnessed in its communities to this day," Bernos stated. He further emphasized the importance of the designation for safeguarding the province's natural and cultural wealth.
