Balanga ready for farm tourism center

BALANGA CITY, Bataan – The City of Balanga is very much ready to establish a farm tourism center with the existing successful Kasama Ani sa Barangay (Kaanib)  program.

“Sen. Cynthia Villar announced during the Farm Tourism Development Conference in Cabanatuan City on Friday that she will file a bill in Senate for the establishment of a farm tourism center in every town in the country, and Balanga is very much ready for that”, said Councilor Benjie Merino who, with Councilors Jovic Baluyot and Elmo Sanchez, and OIC Tourism Officer Lolit Del Rosario attended the seminar for councilors and tourism officers of Central Luzon.

Farm tourism attracts visitors and travelers to farm areas, generally for educational and recreational purposes that encourage economic activity to provide farm and community income. It is one of the country’s sunshine industries, which can be developed because of the agricultural nature of the economy, according to tourism department.

“Our concern in Balanga will be finding the best Kaanib program from the 25 barangays to be made into farm tourism center”, the councilor pointed out.     

Mayor Francis Garcia and Vice Mayor Vianca Venzon-Gozon are not neglecting the agricultural development in this city in spite of strides in other areas like health and governance.

“We are putting premium on agricultural development like what we are doing in the Kaanib program”, the vice mayor earlier said.

Kaanib was started by then city mayor now 2^nd district congressman Joet Garcia being implemented for the past 9 years where idle lands in barangays are converted into organic vegetable gardens.