A SMALL village in Kalinga has found new life in tourism.
Naneng village launched its Life Community Tours in 2014 and has since flourished, benefiting the province's tourism industry.
Kalinga Provincial Tourism Officer Arlyn Ethel Odiem said when the launch happened, there were no homestay facilities willing to open but three years into the program, there are now nine homes willing to accommodate visitors.
A homestay program is designed for homeowners with an extra room willing to take in visitors. Members of the household learn from the visitors and vice versa, completing the exchange of culture and knowledge.
The road leading to the village has been paved and cemented, while a tourism information center and bathrooms has been built. The budget for this was included in the P37.6-million fund from the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Public Works and Highways convergence fund.
Odiem said the community life tours include overnight stay in one of the homes in the village built in the 1920s, a tour in the 1927 built Saint Joseph parish with an altar straight from Belgium, back strap weaving demonstrations and cooking of the traditional inandila (rice cakes).
Naneng is the oldest village in Tabuk and is the seat of heritage and culture of the city where weaving the traditional way is still done by women elders.
The village is also the birthplace of the first governor of the province, as well as other politicians.
Naneng is part of the DOT projects, which aim to empower small areas in tourism hubs aiming to have connected tours, giving visitors a holistic experience and adventure.
Village chief Rommel Balunggay said the area can accommodate 40 visitors at a time.
