MOUNTAIN BLOOMS Atok town in Benguet province is known for its flower farms that attract tourists. These cabbage roses have green petals that cascade to shades of white and violet.
BAGUIO CITY—Amid the global threat of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) has moved its alumni homecoming scheduled on Feb. 14-15 here to Feb. 22, Mayor Benjamin Magalong said after meeting with officials of the academy’s alumni association.
“This is just a tentative date, it will still depend on the developments in the coming days,” Magalong, a member of the PMA “Sandigan” Class of 1982, told reporters here on Thursday.
In a separate statement, the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association Inc. (PMAAI) said it had asked the alumni classes, especially the jubilarians, to “exercise their best judgment” on how to proceed with their individual class activities in accordance with the new date.
According to Rufo de Veyra, PMAAI chair, Magalong has already coordinated with the hotels and restaurants here, where the alumni and their families can ask for a rebooking.
Atok farms
In Benguet province, Mayor Raymundo Sarac of Atok town suspended all tourism-related activities starting on Feb. 6 as precautionary measure against the spread of 2019-nCoV.Atok, a farming town, hosts flower gardens such as the Northern Blossom Flower Farm, the Sakura Farm and the Haight’s Place that are attracting tourists.
Sarac said the suspension would be lifted after proper assessment and the issuance of necessary advisory from health authorities.
Peak season
Tourism is now at its peak in Atok due to the cold weather, which sometimes causes frost that also draws tourists.
The Department of Education also moved its annual regional sports meet to March due to the 2019-nCoV scare.
In Kalinga province, Tinglayan Mayor Sacrament Gumilab also suspended all tourism-related activities and banned tourists from from entering the town.
Hundreds of local and foreign tourists flock to Barangay Buscalan in Tinglayan to see the famous tattoo artist, Whang-od Oggay. —REPORTS FROM KIMBERLIE QUITASOL AND KARLSTON LAPNITEN