Photo By: Clarisse Abao

By Jiana de Guzman and Vivian Ceballos

The Los Baños Tourist Information Center opened in the New Municipal Building last September 17 during the celebration of the town’s 400th foundation anniversary.

Mark Lapid, COO of Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), and Rebecca Labit, Regional Director of the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region IV-A, graced the unveiling ceremonies.

(L-R) DOT Region IV-A Regional Director Rebecca Labit, TIEZA COO Mark Lapid, Bañamos festival organizer Robert Cereno, and Municipal Tourism Officer Rommel Manigas (Photo by: Vivian Ceballos)

According to Lapid, the purpose of the Tourist Information Center is to be a go-to hub of visitors in getting tips on the best spots to visit, food to try, and festivities to explore. He furthered that with the help of the Department of Tourism, “the center will offer [travel] packages where [tourists] can go in Los Baños”. Lapid added that plans for upgrading the center are already in place. He assures that by 2016, works for the 2nd floor of the center will start.

Los Baños Mayor Ceasar Perez also noted that the tourist center brings information closer to the visitors. “Ngayon na may Tourist Center na tayo, madali na magtanong [ang mga bisita].”

Many locals are not yet familiar with the center but those interviewed support its aim of boosting the town’s tourism. “You have to know more about Los Baños. Hindi lang UP, hindi lang Mt. Makiling, but other facets of [the town]…Promote certain aspects kung saan sila strong. I think this will boost tourism in Los Baños” shares a Los Baños resident, Toti Menorca.