CEBU CITY — Tourism in the Philippines has gone grassroots, in a manner of speaking.

Robert Lim Joseph, Chairman Emeritus of National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (NAITAS), reported this welcome development, saying community tourism has empowered rural folk and is stirring up countryside growth.

Joseph said many of community tourism projects, which NAITAS is actively promoting along with local governments, non-government organizations, and civic and religious groups, have succeeded despite lack of financial resources, basic infrastructure and managerial skills.

In many cases, he said, local tourism which has prospered in far-flung areas started with meager capital and infrastructures, but with an abundance of will, creativity and enthusiasm among the residents.

Joseph cited the case of Barangay Lamac, Pinamungajan town in southwestern Cebu which is a secluded mountain valley, but which many describes as a “hidden paradise.”

It was hidden, he said, because the barrio had no road, no electricity and no potable water supply. Thus, not too many, even from nearby towns, wanted to go there and discover its natural wonders like its seven caves, a lagoon for water sports and a lake for rafting and fishing.

But the residents, mostly farmers, realizing they have a jewel of a place, volunteered to build on a rotation basis, a road making their barrio accessbile to the outside world, Joseph said.

The residents organized themselves in 1970 into what was later called the Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LMPC), which has transformed further the road made of gravel into concrete, making a trip to Cebu City just a two-hour ride.

LMPC thought big, and built the R30-million Hidden Valley Resort which can accommodate 400 guests. Local businessmen, school officials, students, balikbayans and foreign tourists, have visited the resort, Joseph said.

As a result, Lamac, with a population of 5,000, now has a church, health center, elementary and secondary schools, post office, bakery, its own water system and drug store, plus a concrete road used by farmers to sell their products, he said.

Joseph also pointed to the Olango group of islands off Mactan, which is situated between Cebu and Bohol . Olango is now being developed into an eco-tourism center, with a 50-room, 100-bed facility; classrooms; a scuba diving center; an electronic library, observation tower, mangrove walkways, a spa and wellness center.