CARIGARA, Leyte – A major access road leading to Villaconzoilo Agri and Eco Tourism Farm in Jaro, Leyte is now serving tourists and motorists, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte Second District Engineering Office reported.
The department poured out a total of P85 million for the concreting of the 3.5-km long and 6.1-meter wide road including its drainage system.
According to Engr. Gerald Pacanan, district engineer of the DPWH- Leyte Second District Engineering Office, the completion of the project is sure to boost tourism in the area and provide more opportunities to the community.
“Through better road connectivity, we are promoting inclusive growth and poverty reduction, especially in rural areas,” he added.
Villaconzoilo is an upland village seven kilometers away from the town proper of Jaro and lies 600 meters above sea level, known for its cool and natural atmosphere.
It is the first farm tourism in Leyte accredited by the Department of Tourism (DOT) offering various high-value products including strawberries, grapes, watermelons, lettuce, broccoli, carrots, cauliflowers, rambutan, radish, and asparagus.
The farm is not just known as rich agricultural plantation, but also as a learning site on practical agriculture accredited by the Agricultural Training Institute.
Meanwhile, as part of the government’s effort to extend development programs in hard to reach communities, the district is currently implementing a P9.85 million road concreting project leading to Silawan Falls in this village under Payapa at Masaganang Pamayan (Pamana) fund.
Gearing towards the Golden Age of Infrastructure, the DPWH-DOT partnership will continue, implementing projects boosting tourism and overall economic progress in the country.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY–A food service sector laboratory (FSSL) in Eastern Samar has turned into a tourism learning facility, promoting the province’s authentic local cuisine and delicacies for its visitors.
“It provides food service to locals and tourists. Those who wish to engage in a small food business may come to learn how the basic of food service dynamics, local cuisine preparation, and others at par with tourism standards,” said provincial tourism officer Franklin Robedizo.
At least six stalls and one “Pasalubong” Center were established at the provincial capitol’s grounds to showcase locally manufactured food and non-food products.
“The FSSL is a platform to encourage local tourism stakeholders to engage in livelihood, purposely to achieve additional income for the family and eventually help reduce poverty in the province,” added Robedizo.
According to Robedizo, the laboratory’s tenants are the ones who teach those who would like to learn the local cuisine.
People will learn to cook easily because all food offered at the FSSL are cooked on sight, he added.
The tenants have also undergone a “qualification process”.
“The tenants are only paying for electricity, water, and security. There is no rent,” said Robedizo.
Also, every stall has its own set of menu to avoid competition.
Local menu includes ginataang manok (chicken stewed in coconut milk), grilled fish, seafood and meat, sinigang (stew), tinola na isda (fish in ginger broth), Borongan express, aroz caldo, and fruit juices, among others.
The food laboratory started its operation last Dec 16, 2018.
According to Robedizo, the establishment of the laboratory is “in pursuance with the ‘Proyekto 25’ on tourism program of Governor Marcelino Ferdinand Picardal.”
(RONALD O. REYES)