The House of Representatives tourism committee has endorsed a bill declaring the town of Ubay as a farm tourism capital.

House Bill 6502, authored by Rep. Aris Aumentado of Bohol’s second district, was approved at the tourism committee level led by Rep. Corazon Nuñez-Malanyaon of Davao Oriental.

“This bill, which seeks to boost farm tourism in the Philippines, recognizes that tourism can propagate the value of agriculture in the economic and cultural development of the country,” said Aumentado.

Through the legislation, Ubay will be able to avail of the benefits under the Republic Act 19816 or the Farm Tourism Development Act of 2016.

The bill also stipulates that the local government unit of Ubay will coordinate with the Department of Tourism, Department of Transportation and Department of Agriculture in developing infrastructure that will boost tourism in the town.

The initiative is seen to boost livelihood of locals in Ubay and nearby towns.

“Farm tourism also serves as the catalyst for the development of agriculture and fishery communities, and provide additional income for farmers, farm workers and fisherfolk,” he said.

According to Aumentado, Ubay is home to multiple agri-tourism destinations including the Ubay Stock Farm, one of the largest farms in the country.

Ubay was also chosen by the Department of Agriculture as site for accredited livestock technology training facilities for the Visayas and Mindanao.

Meanwhile, the Ubay Agri-Park and Sinandigan Multipurpose Hatchery, the country’s largest multi-species hatchery in the country, are also located in Ubay.

The Ubay Green Park and Techno Center, a former garbage disposal site which was turned into an ecological faclity, was also established in Ubay in 2013. (R. Tutas)