Be responsible, travelers told amid Bamboo Ecopark vandalism

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora  

 MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Wednesday reminded travelers to be responsible tourists after Baguio's Bamboo Ecopark was prompted to temporarily close due to vandalism.

"The DOT appeals to all travelers looking to visit tourism destinations around the country that have already gradually reopened to practice responsible tourism at all times. We condemn the recent vandalism incident in the Bamboo Ecopark in Baguio City, which led to its temporary closure," Tourism chief Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said in a statement.

Romulo-Puyat said the DOT will continue to work with local government units and the private stakeholders in intensifying its advocacy for sustainable tourism in the country.

"We wish to remind tourists of the important role they hold in ensuring the survival of the tourism industry amid the pandemic," she added.

The Bamboo Ecopark, located at the St. Francis Xavier Seminary, is a fast becoming popular attraction in Baguio City, famed for its walking paths that could rival Kyoto's Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.

Edgardo Manda, president of the Philippine Bamboo Foundation, Inc., announced the park's temporary closure due to vandalism on November 9.

"Some visitors do not respect the place and have defaced bamboo culms (or poles) by engraving their names and relieving themselves along the pathway," he said in a Facebook post. (PNA)

 

PH's ‘smallest’ jeepney brings smiles to Baguio crowd

By Liza Agoot 

                          Ronald Tan and his "Jeepito" (Photo courtesy of Ronald Tan)

 

BAGUIO CITY – A mini jeepney, probably the smallest in the country, beeping its way through the city's streets brings smiles to locals for its novelty.

Ronald "Tonton" Tan, who made the jeepney in 2015, said over the weekend that he wanted to revive the "Trip ni Jeepito" campaign to help boost the local government's efforts to breathe life back to the city's tourism sector which was greatly affected by the pandemic.

On weekends, Tan brings his jeepney fondly called "Jeepito" at the city parks for a few hours, allowing spectators to take a photo with it for free.

The iconic Filipino jeepney, painted with the country's flag colors of red, white, yellow and blue, can carry four people which include the driver and three passengers.

“Jeepito is the perfect symbolism of the Philippines because the jeepney is not just a Philippine iconic symbol but just like the Philippines, Jeepito is small but amazing," Tan said.

Tan designed Jeepito to become the smallest Philippine jeepney which measures 92 inches in length, 42 inches in width and 55 inches in height. It is powered by a 3-cylinder Suzuki multicab engine and was customized using scrap materials.

The jeepney was registered with the Land Transportation Office prior to its public launching in 2015. It is also patented, copyrighted and obtained a trademark in the Philippines.

Tan said he designed the jeepney in his private garage and spent a total of PHP165,000 for its production and another PHP50,000 for its registration.

Before the pandemic, Jeepito served a dual purpose -- delivering his company's donations to orphanages and the homeless, and at the same time a source of smile to people who see it when it moves around the city.

"I want to help encourage us all to believe that there is life after the pandemic and that the people need to see the brighter side of life which is reason to still be thankful everyday and to wear a smile," he said. (PNA)