The 20-hectare agricultural-tourism farm situated at Barangay Carosucan Sur in this town has been reopened to Pangasinan residents to encourage economic activities and provide income for the workers here.

In an interview on Wednesday, municipal tourism officer Michael Soliven said the agri-tourism site can accommodate 500 to 1,000 tourists daily after the capacity has been reduced to 50 percent based on quarantine guidelines.

Tourists may enjoy sightseeing hundreds or even thousands of planted flowers in 10 different varieties as well as different kinds of fruit-bearing trees and vegetables, he said.

He added the area can also be a location for pre-nuptial photo shoots or picnics for families as there are available tables and chairs.

“Visitors may also pick fruits and veggies that are sold at a price cheaper than its market retail price, almost 70 percent off,” Soliven said.

There are pomelo trees, papaya trees, and mulberry trees, among others, he said.

Soliven said they opted to reopen the farm owned by the Sapigao family to help boost economic activities in the area.

“It has been a long time that this was closed. It was just launched in December last year but it was closed when the lockdown due to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic started last March,” he said.

Soliven said some residents in the town who have lost their jobs were employed in the agri-tourism farm.

“When people visit the place, they are in some way helping some people who are working here,” he said.

The agri-tourism farm charges PHP50 entrance fee for Pangasinan residents aged 18 to 65 years old.

Since it was reopened on Oct. 30, it is now averaging 300 guests daily.

“We see to it that standard health protocols are being followed such as the 50-percent capacity, wearing of face masks and face shields, temperature check, and even though the place is wide, we still encourage physical distancing,” Soliven said. (PNA)