By JOJO DUE

The Department of Tourism is reviving a proposal to transform a portion of the 5,724-hectare Sacobia Valley in Bamban, Tarlac and Mabalacat, Pampanga border area into a camping destination.

Ronaldo P. Tiotuico, DOT Region-III director, said he has presented the proposal to Janet Lazatin, newly-appointed Assistant Secretary for Health, Sports and Wellness at the Department of Tourism in Manila, who has committed to develop Central Luzon as one of the pillars of health and wellness industry.

Lazatin said the Sacobia Valley near the sprawling Clark Freeport Zone, can be a haven for camping and ecotourism with its vast forests, valleys and hills, and the pyroclastic flows from the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo.

Waterfalls, streambeds and natural springs also abound. Indigenous communities add character to the place.

"It remains to be one of the few places in the region with endless opportunities for tourism and travel. The valley is ideal for trekking, mountain climbing, river rafting and crossing, cave exploration, rappelling, and outdoor living exercises such as corporate team-building sessions and spiritual renewal.

Jungle survival lessons in the art of fire-making, water-extraction from vines and natural healing techniques courtesy of the Aeta community may be offered on a regular basis," Lazatin said.

The DOT proposal augurs well for hundreds of Aetas whose environmental conservation and ecological practices is never wanting due to their long history of surviving in the highlands of the Zambales mountain range.

The camping holiday proposal entails the construction of 50 portable but sturdy tents complete with environment-friendly fixtures like beds, tables and chairs, kitchen and lounging area with each tent accompanied by a clearing for parking and an outdoor grill for family cook-outs.

Day or overnight camping may be offered any day of the week with culture-bound communities serving as host guides, porters, housekeepers and homestay hosts. Mountain bikes, ATVs, rappelling gear and equipment may be rented out to visitors. Prices for facilities and services vary on the choice of equipment and standards of accommodation. Later, caravans and motor homes may be offered for rent.

A pool of professional trainers in mountain climbing, jungle survival, caving and related outdoor exercises will be formed to complete the camping holiday destination program for visitors.

Lazatin emphasized that the ideal scenario is to build non-permanent structures in the community to maintain its rustic landscape and natural setting and not get in the way of Clark's proposed master development plan for the area. The camping site should be situated outside the sub-zone but preferably within reach of the Aetas and close to the estate's pristine natural wonders.

Newly-appointed Clark Development Corporation (CDC) President Benigno N. Ricafort signified a plan to resuscitate the former LERT, or Leisure Entertainment and Resort for Tourists, program of CDC to emphasize this time on leisure, entertainment, recreation and tourism as the anchor attractions in Clark.