Of the Requirements for the
Tourism Impacts and Sustainability
Case Study
“La Presa, Benguet”
By:
JECILLE MALULAN
(August 2015)
Time Context
Sitio La Presa is actually Sitio Pungayan in Mount Cabuyao, Poblacion in this rustic town. And no, it is not located in Baguio City, but in Tuba, Benguet. Understand that Baguio is surrounded by other municipalities of Benguet, namely Tuba, Itogon and La Trinidad. The actual site of the popularized Sitio La Presa is outside of Baguio. Likewise, the strawberry farm is located in La Trinidad and not in the city. Anyways, the problem of this Sitio was arisen last December of 2014 during the shooting of the hit teleserye forevermore because of the uncontrolled flocking of people to the place.
Point of View
For me, La Presa or Sitio Pungayan, the real name of the place is not that destroyed or ruined. The news just made an overreaction about the tourists that are still flocking to Sitio La Presa and worsens the image of the place and called it #LaParusa just to catch people’s attention. Maybe, in some part, This Sitio was a little bit in chaos when the shooting was still ongoing for the teleserye Forevermore but now that the show was done, the place was not crowded at all and things are getting back to its normal place. In fact, it helped the locals to start a small business. And, at least we discover a new paradise hidden in Benguet Province.
Statement of the Problem
Littering aside from the traffic is the other main concern here. Also, their privacy or quiet ambiance of living highlands is somewhat disturbed by tourists. Before, this place was simply known as the highest point near Baguio and a popular biking route to the radar. But now, it's transforming into a chaotic tourist spot like Mines View or Session Road. Although this resulted in a lot of jobs and businesses in the Sitio, uncontrolled commercialization is threatening the natural beauty and appeal of the place.
Areas of