Tourists can now visit the pristine Bayokbok Falls and Asin hot spring in Barangay Tuel, Tublay, Benguet as these sites have reopened after rehabilitation.
In an executive order, Tuel Punong Barangay Aurelio Biernes officially opened the tourism spots for visitors, according to the Municipal Tourism Office.
Bayokbok Falls has been closed for rehabilitation since 2019, as proper management plans and coordination with the community were put in place.
The two sites are managed by the barangay. During rainy season, operation of the sites is suspended.
Visitors for both sites may register at the Tuhok Bridge, which is the bridge going to Sablan, Benguet and Sitio Sayangan, Tuel. The entrance to the sulphuric Asin hot spring is also set at the same registration site due to an ongoing road widening in the area.
New fees are imposed for visitors, maintenance fee at Asin hot spring is at P30; entrance fee at Bayokbok Falls (including lifeguard and life vest) is P100; and private cottages are for rent from P250 to P500.
The tourism office encouraged the public to rent the cottages as a way of helping the community.
For more information and for reservation contact the barangay officials: Aurelio Biernes – 0910-160-0844; Domino Kiray – 0929-147-2210; and Jimmy Kigas – 0981-017-4128.
Other tourism spots in the municipality are the natural formations at Paterno and Bengaongao caves and the Mt. Pokkong, all located in Ambongdolan.
There are also privately-owned natural adventure sites including the rock formations at Ahonda. The jungle-like site is operated by Ahonda Esben, who single-handedly cleaned it for seven years and continues to maintain it by transforming it into a tourist attraction.
The site is located at Sitio Cili in Tuel, beside the Saguibalete Park or the century old balete tree.
For more information contact Ahonda at 0948-147-3714 or 0921-435-3675. – Ofelia C. Empian
