Daang Katutubo, A New Tourist Spot in Our Province

There are beautiful places in our province that are not being discovered yet until construction of roads are being done. In fact, there are beaches which became known due to word of mouth, and road constructions are started which makes those beaches accessible.

Aside from beaches, road constructions are started in mountainous places which is good not just for economic purposes but also for tourism. A month ago, my brother invited us to visit Daang Katutubo. Of course, my wife and I agreed so they fetched us from our house.

It's quite a long travel, probably more than an hour. Daang Katutubo is located at the town of Aguilar. It is one of the two new major roads being constructed in the province. It connects the towns of Aguilar, which traverses to the mountainous area, to Infanta.

Aside from Daang Katutubo, Daang Kalikasan is also being constructed and nearing the construction's end. It had its soft opening few years ago for the purposes of tourism. Many people flocked the viewdeck but tourists are irresponsible due to improper disposable of their trash.

Eventually, Daang Kalikasan has closed down to protect the environment. The local government actually can do something to protect the environment.

Daang Katutubo is still open but I can see people being irresponsible with some trash around. Proper waste disposal is important, and may the government shall do something for the protection of the surroundings.

I saw that hut right there with that small tree. So far it contributed to the beauty of the place, and worth capturing a photo minus that sack right there.

I took pictures around, and so my family did. My wife is also taking pictures around, and of course, we have our couple picture too as shared below.

Just like other mountainous areas, it is quite cold there. It's perfect timing when we got there as the sun is about to set. It reminds me of Baguio City except the establishments that the city has. This place is mainly rural.

Daang Katutubo is located at Sitio Mapita, Barangay Laoac. Back then, the roads are bumpy and ethnic groups took hours to travel to deliver their harvests. Ethnic groups from Cordillera actually migrated to Barangay Laoac because of accessibility. Vegetables and other crops are easily transported to the lowlands compared to the Cordilleras.

Now that the road is under construction, I think around 70% was finished, delivery of the crops from both ends of the road is much easier.

The reason why it was called "katutubo" because it was named after those migrant ethnic groups. Of course, it will be much easier to travel to Infanta town, Zambales, and other westernmost towns of Pangasinan. The mountain range actually makes travel longer back then as you have to take the route of Alaminos City. It's much easier now through Daang Katutubo.

As expected, it has winding roads but it feels like rollercoaster because the road is quite steep at some parts. It will also be better if some mountains will undergo intensive reforestation. Back then, I used to see some parts of the mountain burning. It might be the trees or woods will be made into charcoal. I'm not sure if such practice persists but it would be better if the local government will do something to protect the environment. In fact, the mountain areas there has been once a hotspot for illegal loggers, which unsure if some big names are even involved.

Now that Daang Katutubo is already a tourist spot, it should also be protected from improper waste disposal, not just from deforestation. Implementation is very important. It isn't just about the money, rather our environment which will be inherited by the next generation.

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