Angara encourages to patronize country’s cultural tourism instead of abroad

SENATE OFFICE, Manila, April 5, 2011-Senator Edgardo J. Angara encourages the public to explore the Philippines’ cultural tourism sites instead of going abroad as the summer's vacation season reaches its peak this month, saying that the country has a rich cultural heritage, as well as abundant natural resources and rich biodiversity in the ecosystems aside from having some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Angara added that our countrymen should have to patronize first the Philippines natural heritage where they can have plenty of options for vacation sites that are out of the ordinary, explaining that recent years have shown increased interest in cultural tours set in historical places to trace the footsteps of our forefathers which was reported also by the Department of Tourism.

“These tours mark important spots in the country's history, and also contribute to the movement to preserve historical and cultural sites that are slowly being destroyed due to negligence,” Angara said, who is the author of the National Cultural Heritage Bill which was signed into law last year.

The NCH bill seeks to protect locations that are essential to Philippine history, including buildings, landmarks, monument and shrines where he believes that supporting local tourism will boost the nation's economy.

Angara explained that local tourism increase would create jobs especially for those living in rural areas and would spur the creation and expansion of business establishments as positive impact to the country’s economy.

“Through patronizing the country’s richness in cultural heritage,  it would help our locals in their livelihood,” he said, adding that the country has a number of world heritage sites which were classified as cultural and natural, declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). (Jason de Asis)