Historic Mount Data Hotel reopens

HISTORIC The Mount Data Hotel gets a facelift to attract more tourists to the province. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

BAUKO, Mountain Province: The historic landmark Mount Data Hotel in Sinto Bauko has reopened to cater to local and foreign tourists recently.

The premier facility was erected by the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) during the administration of then-President Diosdado Macapagal with the aim of promoting tourism in Mountain Province and the Cordillera Region.

The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza) will operate and manage the facility after the operation was returned by then Gov. Leonard Mayaen.

Gov. Maimo Dalog then requested Tieza to turn over the operation and management to the provincial government for 10 years.

Rehabilitation works started in 2014 to refurbish the facility including retrofitting works that led to its renovation and eventual reopening.

TIEZA Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid, in his welcome remarks, said that the reopening of the Mount Data Hotel signals that tourism in the province and municipalities is open — the first step in recovering tourism.

He revealed plans to open the facility as a family-oriented establishment with hiking and horseback riding, among others, in the future. The facility will also be a special venue for seminars and meetings from offices and agencies within and outside of the province.

Bauko Mayor Abraham Akilit commended the Department of Tourism (DoT) and Tieza for prioritizing the improvement of the Data Hotel, which could boost local tourism and create employment opportunities.

Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan Jr. represented by PA Jose Tombali focused on the acronym “Tourist” — Teamwork among the stakeholders of the hotel, Oneness in purpose, Unity in service, Respect for the clients, giving the right Information, giving efficient Service to the clients to provide Thoughtful good experience to keep the tourist and clients imparted.

Rep. Maximo Dalog Jr. was represented by Erlindo Agwilang, who recalled the history of the hotel as he said that the facility was built more than 60 years ago by the PTA during the administration of President Macapagal.

Mount Data Hotel was the venue of the Sipat or peace pact between the government represented by then President Corazon Aquino and Fr. Conrado Balweg, the erstwhile Chief of the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA) on Sept. 13, 1986.

The historic event led to the composition of the Cordillera Administrative Region and the provision in the 1987 constitution for the creation of the CAR.

He expressed gratitude to the governor, DoT, Tieza and the community for the full support of tourism development that would bring economic development to the community and the province.

DoT Regional Director Jovita Ganongan underscored that the iconic hotel will spur tourism in the province.

“The Mount Data Hotel comes to life again and is vibrant with the conduct of ‘kolkolis’ and ‘dagdagay,’ the Igorot experience,” Ganongan said.

Those who graced the occasion included Mayor Franklin Odsey of Bontoc, Mayor Marcial Lawilao of Sabangan, Mayor Johnson Bantog 2nd of Besao, staff from the Provincial Tourism Office and Municipal Tourism office of Bauko, and other local officials and stakeholders.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/05/15/news/regions/historic-mt-data-hotel-reopens/1843706