BACNOTAN FARM RESORT: A CATALYST OF AGRITOURISM SYNTHESIZING

CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

AGRITOURISM IN PHILIPPINES

The Philippines as a tropical country that is rich in natural resources, biological diversity, rich farming heritage, and has a strong cultural heritage, is a good fit for agritourism. Agritourism has been building momentum in the Philippines for the last few years, and all the effort of local enterprises is finally being recognized as the country is now one of the top destinations for agritourism in the world.

According to Rose H.

Libongco of the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association International, agritourism boosted foreign tourist arrivals from January to May 2018 with 3.177 million agritourism visitors recorded. This is a 10.24 percent increase from the same time period of the previous year.

The large number of visitors come from South Korea, which is 22.2%, then followed by Japan, 8.68%, Canada, 3.79%, and Taiwan, 3.19%. The Philippines joins other top locations such as Taiwan, Hawaii, Tuscany, Grenada, Mallorca, and Brazil as one of the top agritourism destinations in the world (Aguiba, 2019).

Libongco mentioned La Union, Laguna, and Davao as one of the places with booming farm tourism where the number of visitors swelled by about 157 percent to 18,000 in 2017 from 7,000 in 2016.

AGRITOURISM IN LA UNION

In La Union, with the vision to be the Heart of Agritourism in the Northern Luzon by 2025, has currently 23 farm tourism sites including farms in Bauang and family farms including the Lomboy Farm, Lotus Farm, Rocapor’s Farm, and Fer-gie Navarro Farm (a certified Good Agricultural Practice vegetable farm).

According to the Provincial Government of La Union,

“Agriculture is the primary industry in the Province and the common denominator among its component LGUs.

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Among the major staple food procedure with its sufficiency levels are: rice (124%), corn (194%), fish (105%), livestock (above 104%), fruits (166%), fruit vegetables (213%), leafy vegetables (225%), root crops (223%) and legumes (91%).”

Moreover, each component LGU has its own unique agriculture industries which vary from tobacco, soft brooms, baskets, rice, wine (tapuey), sugarcane wine (Basi), sugarcane vinegar, wood crafts, native rice cakes, dried fish, honey and mushroom.

La Union draws an increasing number of tourist arrivals through the years due to the surfing activity in San Juan. According to the Provincial Government of La Union, as of 2015, tourist arrivals posted 392,477 individuals with an average length of stay of 1.3 days and an average occupancy rate of 31.46%. In addition, the Province also leverages on its existing products, attractions, and activities inclined with agriculture which include the Halo-halo de Iloko for agri-gastronomy, Bauang Grape Picking for direct sales of agri-products, Pugo Adventure Trail for agri-recreation, San Juan Surfing for agri-sports, and Baluarte in Luna for Ethnography, among others.

AGRITOURISM IN BACNOTAN

Bacnotan is host to cement giant HolcimPhils in Brgy. Quirino; the home of the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University main campus with its sprawling campus in Brgy. Sapilang; and the exit point of the rustic Baroro River. The municipality of Bacnotan is further made famous for its silk, vinegar, mushroom, and honey industry.

The western side of Bacnotan is bounded by the West Philippines Sea and has a long stretch of black sand beaches, indicating a large amount of magnetite. Some portions of the seashore have pebble and limestone deposits. The beaches, stretching about 16 kilometers, are suitable for fishing, boating, swimming, snorkeling, diving and surfing.

Although San Juan is the surfing capital of the North, professional surfers go to Quirino, Bacnotan due to its waves which is also excellent for surfing.

According to an interview with Dr. Divina Gracia Apigo of Department of Agriculture in Bacnotan, there will be a future project to be located at the municipal waters of Quirino, Bacnotan namely ‘Mariculture Park’. She said that an association called Fisherfolks will be the one who will handle it. A budget of Php 7.5 million was already allocated for this project and is expected to be started by this year. The project will put up a Norwegian-type of fish cage, which is a circular frame made out of Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or steel pipes, for the milkfishes (Bangus) to be cultured. Each of the cages will have an area of approximately 201 sqm. and have a volume of approximately 503 cu. meter.

CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) or climate-resilient farming is a strategy that seeks to sustainability increase agricultural productivity; to adapt and build climate change resilience; and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

CSA focuses heavily on soil and nutrient management; carbon sequestration; water and energy management; and crop diversification or sustainably augmenting production when certain fruits or crops are not in season (Rocamora, 2019).

Climate-smart agriculture gives attention to landscape approaches, for example, integrated planning of land, agriculture, forests, fisheries and water to ensure synergies are captured. It includes proven practical techniques and approaches that can help achieve a triple win for food security, adaptation and mitigation (Rudinas, Godilano, Ilaga, 2013).

REGENERATIVE ARCHITECTURE

According to Jacob Littman’s Master theses, “Regenerative Architecture: A Pathway Beyond Sustainability,” it is the practice of engaging the natural world as the medium for, and generator of architecture.

It responds to and utilizes the living and natural systems that exist on a site and become the “building blocks” of architecture. Regenerative architecture focuses on conservation of resources and reduction on the environmental impacts of building.

Regenerative architecture embraces the environment and uses the millions of years of engineering and evolution as the foundation for a structure. Regenerative design is based on the premise that everything we build has the potential for the integration of the natural world as an “equal partner” in architecture, according to Littman.

Regenerative architecture corrects the gap between present construction practices and the rightful treatment of the natural world.

FARM RESORT GUIDELINES

Philippines have wide land masses found in almost every rural area; thus, farm resorts have been prominent. Private land owners venture in this type of tourism to generate income and make development into their lying lands. Recently, it is acknowledged by the government. The department of Tourism have set rules and regulations to have a uniformed guideline in operating and maintaining agritourism and such resorts.

Farm resorts must have achieved minimum standard of requirements for the purpose of accreditation. These farms must be situated in a generally safe and peaceful location. Farm resorts must attain required spaces for the facilities and amenities needed. Also, the service areas must be available for at least no more than two-hour drive from the farm. The general rules in operating and maintain farm sites must have at least three (3) months or a year. Farm sites should also be provided with safety and security. To ensure safety and security, a security personnel should be on a duty on a twenty-four-hour duty. Appropriate safety signage must be displayed conspicuously. Naturally in a farm site, there are areas limited to the access of people. “Off limit” areas shall be clearly be demarcated. Farm sites should also provide firefighting facilities, first aid or health facilities, and farm equipment. Sanitation is also essential in raising a farm resort. The facilities should provide wash areas, restrooms and garbage management for the whole location. (Department of Tourism, Chapter IV of Rules and Regulations, 2004)

BOHOL BEE FARM (Dauis, Panglao Island, Bohol)

The Bohol Bee Farm employs from within the community with multiple generations being represented throughout the hotel and farm. It is this level of community and integration with the land that is such a compelling ingredient in what is a very special place to the staff and their guests. Regular visitors will see that both the hotel and farm constantly change, making each visit a new experience as there is always something new to experience or see.

The Bohol Bee Farm is an agricultural haven situated on top of a cliff on Panglao, without a sandy beach but with access to the sea below, dedicated to bee cultivation, organic farming, and healthy eating. Aside from growing diverse agricultural produce, Bohol Bee Farm also houses a resort and a restaurant where visitors can take time off from the city and find relaxation while providing livelihood to the local residents.

Tourists get to choose from a variety of room accommodations. There is the ‘Garden room’ that sits in the midst of their naturally-grown vegetable and herb garden that can accommodate up to three persons, the ‘Beehive room’ which is close to the hotel’s other amenities that can also house up to three persons, the ‘Family room’ which is a two-storey structure that is essentially equipped with spaces that provide entertainment, comfort, and relaxation, and the ‘Ocean view room’ and ‘Family Ocean view room’ that oversees the Bohol Sea and can accommodate up to three to four persons respectively.

MONTERAY FARM ECOFARM & RESORT (Pinamungajan, Cebu)

Monteray Farm, which is located in Sitio Dakit, Brgy Poblacion, Pinamungajan, Cebu, is an ecofarm and resort. It is a 2-hour drive from Cebu City which is 63 kilometers away.

According to Marj Gabuya, author of a blog site with a pen name of ‘dakilanglaagan’, the name ‘Monteray’ came from the combined names of the owners Ramon and Teresina “Teray” Pono. The 5-hectare lot with the view of mountains is originally a coconut plantation before it was planned to be a vacation house for the family to visit every weekends and holidays. The owners then decided to develop it to a farm resort and open it to tourists and travelers to earn revenue that would help in maintaining it.

The farm resort has the capability to customize accommodations and activities depending on the needs or requests of the guests. It can be a venue for vacation, team-buildings, and special celebrations like prenup, wedding, birthdays, and reunions. Furthermore, they support the movement for environmental sustainability, by adopting the zero-waste system in their kitchen, growing of organic pigs, and teaching locals and tourists the different means of organic farming.

With a design of country living ambiance, guests get to choose whether to relax in bungalows or sleep outdoor in tents. The area has three restrooms made of bamboo near the woods. Two bungalows built close to the swimming pool available for overnight stays. A function room can be rented for birthdays, weddings, and other occasions. A family house near the main entrance and reception area can accommodate 12 persons.

The healthy foods that are being offered are provided by the organic farm where they grow vegetables and herbs organically. The farm grows mint, green tea, lettuce, basil, yellow corn, lemon grass, spring onions, and tomatoes in at least ten garden beds and a small nursery.

BELL MONT FARM RESORT (St. Kitts, West Indies)

Belle Mont Farm is a luxurious resort which opened in the West Indian island of St. Kitts. The 91-villa hotel is part of Kittitian Hill, a sustainable community with 400 acres of organic farmland. Architect Bensley, who designed the farm resort, conceived the villas to recall the architecture of the traditional chattel houses that populate the island.

In addition to 7 three- and four-bedroom farmhouses, the 84 guesthouses have private pools and verandas. A guesthouse at the resort, which features farm-to-table dining and a golf course. One of the exquisite features of a guesthouse is an outdoor bath overviewing the sky and the beach. A spa with in-room treatments are also available. With the site is perched on a hill, the property affords expansive views of the Caribbean Sea below. Guests are encouraged to explore the farm, where a wide range of crops are grown, including passion fruit, pineapples, bananas, and mangoes, as well as vegetables, coffee and cacao.

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