As part of the DOT activity called “Phil Experience Program (PEP): Ilocos and Pangasinan Region,” the Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco visited DMMMSU’s Sericulture Research and Development Institute (SRDI) after her visit to the Bacnotan Farmers’ Agritourism Center on March 20, 2024. 

Inspired by Cebu’s Suroy-Suroy, PEP is DOT’s ultimate familiarization tour to connect with Industry Leaders to recalibrate and promote unique and defining cultural attributes of the Philippines, to make the country known as a tourism powerhouse of Asia.

SRDI officials namely Dr. Gerardo P. Dacayanan, Dr. Joanne D. Villar, Dr. Pura S. Obille, and Ms. Jocelyn Q.  Higoy joined the Bacnotan Municipal Mayor Divina C. Fontanilla and Vice Mayor Francis L. Fontanilla in welcoming the Secretary who was accompanied by the DOT Undersecretaries Ferdinand C. Jumapao and Shahlimar Hofer Tamano; DOT Region 1 Director Joseph Francisco Ortega, Vice Governor Mario Ortega, Provincial Administrator Francisco Ortega III, and other officials of the Provincial Tourism Office.

In her visit to SRDI, Secretary Frasco was astounded to see the silkworm’s incredible transformation from the moth laying eggs to the early and late larval stages. She was thrilled with the silk fabric’s sheen and smoothness, purchased two packs of fabric for Barong, and ordered another one. She also extended her appreciation to Hon. Fontanilla for building an infrastructure for the agri-tourism industry in Bacnotan.

Bacnotan Tourism Officer Cheresa Lamtocon thanked the SRDI Delegates for displaying silk products such as mulberry, silkworm eggs, silkworm larvae, cocoons, novelty items, silk threads, and fabrics and for discussing the sericulture process with the Secretary the sericulture process.

SDRI displays sericulture products at the Farmers’ Agri-tourism Center in Bacnotan. (By PSObille)