DoT wants to make Isabela a ‘top-of-mind’ eco-tourist destination

THE DEPARTMENT of Tourism (DoT) aims to make Isabela, the largest province in Luzon and considered the north’s rice granary, a primary eco-tourism destination with its natural attractions. In a statement, DoT Secretary Bernadette Fatima Romulo-Puyat, who will be attending the Bambanti Festival’s highlight activities yesterday (Jan. 30), said she wants to transform the province “from just an ‘emerging’ to a ‘top-of-mind’ tourist haven.” She cited such attractions as the rainforests in Sierra Madre and Palanan, the Sta. Rita Victoria Caves, and beaches and coves. Ms. Puyat will talk about the DoT’s plans for the province during the festival, which opened Jan. 27. Among the festival attractions are a display of giant decorated bambantis, the local word for scarecrow, and a wide array of agricultural products and crafts from the province’s 32 municipalities and two cities.