MANILA, Philippines - Farms will be included in the country's list of feasible tourist spots once the "Farm Tourism Act" becomes a law.
AAMBIS-Owa Party-list Rep. Sharon Garin authored House Bill 3745 or "An act providing for the development and promotion of farm tourism in the Philippines and for other purposes" which was approved on first reading by the House of Representatives Committee on Tourism.
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The proposed measure provides that tourists may enjoy activities such as milking cows, fruit-picking, harvesting vegetables, fishing, horseback riding, watching butterflies, tasting wines or juices and sight-seeing while visiting farms.
Albay Rep. Fernando Gonzalez supports the bill, noting that the the tourism and agriculture sector will both benefit from it and would boost the country's economy.
The Tourism Committee consulted farm owners, tourism officers, agriculture experts, other stakeholders and government officials in studying the measure.
Agri-tourism will encourage farmers will encourage farmers to preserve their lands and ensure food security in the country, University of South Eastern Philippines Professor Fernando Magdato, Jr. said.
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Under the bill, the Department of Tourism will team up with the Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Agrarian Reform and local government units in identifying which farms are viable tourism sites. Each of the 81 provinces in the country should have at least one tourism farm.
Asian countries such as Taiwan, Malaysia, Japan and Indonesia thrives in the farm tourism industry.