Potential of Buguit Cave as a Tourist Destination in Conner, Apayao.

Abstract

This study aimed to document the attractions of the Buguit cave; the available facilities and services in the area; as well as the suggestions of community people and plan of LGUs and concerned officers for the development of Buguit cave as a potential tourist destination in Conner, Apayao. The study was conducted in Guinaang Conner, Apayao considering a total of 40 respondents; composed of 25 residents, and 15 LGUs and concerned officers from the municipality. Mountain ranges and mossy forests could be seen before reaching sitio Buguit. Near the cave is the Buguit underground water. The cave entrance is covered by vines and mosses, while inside the cave are different rock formations; stalactites, stalagmites, fauna and flora, and a sparrow nest which being searched and sold for a high value. The facilities and services available in the area are: two public rest rooms, six waiting sheds, two communication facilities (internet shops), and barangay tanods and barangay officials who serve as security men. Transportations are jeepneys, tricycles, and motorcycles; there are no hospitals in the barangay, but there is a clinic; 14 gasoline stores; and six tour guides. The resident’s suggestions under attraction are: landscape, plant fruit trees near the spot, install lights inside the cave and put up swimming pool; to concrete road and pathways; construct additional hotels or inns for accommodations; and under amenities are additional banks with ATM; to repainting the signage’s, having more convenience stores and canteen near the tourist spot, additional clinic and waiting sheds, improving the comfort rooms, and providing security guards and knowledgeable tour guides are suggested by community respondents. The plan of LGUs are to improve the access roads, to put street lights, waiting sheds, public rest room and to provide budget for maintenance of the cave. For the tourism office, they plan to strictly maintain cleanliness of the cave, develop other potential tourist spots, to make a website account for the promotion of tourist spots in the municipality; and from the forest guard, they are planning to landscape the surroundings of the cave and other tourist spots around the barangay by planting fruit trees.