FIRST FARM TOURISM CONGRESS IN NUEVA ECIJA

Almost 600 participants coming from various farm schools and learning sites in Region III, city and municipal tourism officers and agriculturists, different CHED colleges and universities faculty and student in agriculture, tourism and hospitality services sector, DTI members of cooperatives and small medium enterprises (SMES), DepEd faculty, travel operators, event suppliers, hotel, restaurant and resort owners and TESDA private technical vocational training institutions in Nueva Ecija gathered to attend the 1’st FARM TOURISM CONGRESS in Nueva Ecija at the Nueva Ecija Convention Center in Palayan City last April 30, 2019. This is the pilot project of the Nueva Ecija Convention and Visitors Association (NECVA) in collaboration with the Department of Tourism (DOT), North Philippines Visitors Bureau (NPVB), NLEX, SCTEX, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Trade and Identity (DTI), Association of Tourism Officer in Nueva Ecija (ATONE), Nueva Ecija Association of Travel Operators (NEATOP), the Provincial Government of Nueva Ecija (NEPG), Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Training Institute (DA. ATI) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Engr. Ramon B. Laderas, NECVA President and President of Nueva Ecija Institute of Foreign Language (NEIFL) Inc., a TESDA accredited Institution lamented that the objective of the Congress is to create and promote awareness on the significance of farm tourism as an initial step for the Province of Nueva Ecija’s bid to become the Farm Tourism capital of Region III. Further, it aims to help participants acquire knowledge and skills in Farm Tourism Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) as well as in developing Farm Tour Packages in collaboration with the Nueva Ecija Association of Travel and Tours Operators, Event Suppliers and the Provincial Tourism Office.

The Congress is also in line with Senator Cynthia Villar advocacy Republic Act 10816 which is to recognize the importance of agriculture in making available food and other products necessary to sustain and enhance human life and in providing livelihood to a major portion of the population as contained in her video message.

In the morning, the participants were delighted by the presentation on the topic of Mr. Keneth Caoile De Gracia of Costales Farm about “Selling Fun in the Farm” . Meanwhile, Ms. Carolina De Guzman Uy Regional director of the DOT discussed the Tourism Advocacy Plan during the Congress.

The afternon session started with the lecture on Farm Tourism Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) followed by the induction of 2019 officers of NECVA with MS.Rhycel Marcelo – Monserrate, Executive Director of NPVB as inducting officer. The highlight of the Congress ended with an open forum to give chance for the participants to ask questions about issues and concerns, threats and oppotunities about Farm Tourism from the members of the panel to various goverrnment and private stakeholders and implementors.