BANGUED, Abra – Tourist sites are now open to locals and the province may soon welcome tourists from outside by January next year.
In an interview with Bing Kimpo of the Presidential Communications Operations Office, Gov. Joy Bernos said she issued Executive Order NOV-01 s. 202, which allows local tourists who are fully vaccinated to visit Abra’s tourist areas.
Individuals 18 years old and below can be allowed entry to tourist sites even if not fully vaccinated, but subject to the approval of the concerned municipal government.
Bernos said the province is blessed with natural tourist spots such as waterfalls, camp sites, and caves. It takes pride of the Kili Falls in Tubo, the Basakal Falls in Daguioman, and Kaparkan Falls in Tineg, which is best visited during the rainy season.
Bernos said Abra is also ideal for those who are into extreme sports adventure, because of the province’s challenging hiking and motor bike trails.
She said aside from the tourist sites, the Abrenian culture and hospitality is also a tourism come-on.
One of the crowd-drawing events is the Abrenian Kawayan Festival showcasing Abra’s culture and tradition, arts and crafts, and food.
Abra is known for its local sausage called longganisa and bagnet, a deep fried crispy pork belly dish.
What makes its longganisa distinct fis its garlicky taste with an adobo mixture while the bagnet is more crunchy, Bernos said. It also boasts of its pancit miki, which is good for breakfast, snacks, or dinner.
Abra is under alert level 2 until Nov. 30 and with the downtrend of Covid-19 cases in the province, tourists outside the province will be allowed by January next year. – Susan C. Aro
