2 Iloilo farm destinations to be featured in DOT’s new digital campaign

Two tourism destinations in the province of Iloilo will be featured in the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) new digital campaign called Future Farms.

Orchard Valley Farm and Damires Hills Tierra Verde in the towns of Pavia and Janiuay, respectively, are among the nine chosen tourism destinations to be featured by DOT.

Future Farms aims to promote farm tourism, one of the sector’s “promising gems.” It is part of the DOT’s efforts to “redevelop tourism products and seek out new types of destinations and activities for travelers in the new normal.”

Orchard Valley Farm, a 32-hectare farmland which stretches behind the Tigum River, is the first and only organic farm in Iloilo since 2011 certified by the Negros Island Certification Services (NICERT).

It was established in 1999 by Johnny Que as a manifestation of his advocacy for environmental protection and sustainability through food production from organic farming methods.

Orchard Valley is envisioned as the prime agri-tourism destination in Western Visayas. Its current facilities composed of a learning center and dormitory will be further expanded to include a pavilion, farm houses, a pool, a Zen spa, organic shop and café.

Meanwhile, Damires Hills Tierra Verde located is approximately 40 hectares and is filled with so much greenery, relaxing landscapes and cozy cottages.

Before it was opened to the public in 2010, the resort used to be a farm land of fruit-bearing trees and sugar cane. The place is also famous for its aquaponics and organic farm. All of the plants, fruits and vegetables are grown using aquaponics.

Other farms to be featured and located all over the Philippines are Diaspora Farm and Resort in Bacolor, Pampanga; Amancio Nicolas Agri-Tourism Academy in Cordon, Isabela; Yamang Bukid in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; Vita Isola Leisure Farm in Loon, Bohol; Taglucop Strawberry Hills in Kitaotao, Bukidnon; Agriya Farm in Panabo City, Davao del Norte; and JB Nature Farm & Resort in Sukailang, Surigao City.

These farms, according to DOT, possess unique characteristics of a ‘’future farm” — innovative, scenic, product-centric, and machine-oriented

“[The campaign] will definitely awaken the farmer in you as you explore the unique and fascinating farms in the country,” DOT said.