The municipality of Atok in Benguet province used to be known only as a simple farming town mentioned in the news during the colds months of the year due to the frost phenomenon.

But thanks to “Northern Blossoms” and “Sakura Park”, the municipality is now a widely visited agri-tourism destination.

Mayor Franklin Smith, in an exclusive interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA), said “Tuluy-tuloy pa rin ang promotion ng tourism, at least may sustainability. Tourism is a big deal for us because the collection we get from it is helping us economically (We continue with tourism promotion which is sustainable. Tourism is a big deal for us because the collection we get from it is helping us economically).”

Atok started to become a popular tourist destination in 2018 when the Northern Blossom agri-tourism destination showcasing the rose cabbage and other flowers garnered thousands of views on different social media pages.

Smith said that due to the place’s steadily rising popularity, the municipal government collected PHP3.2 million in environmental fees in 2023, and more than PHP8 million in 2024.

From Jan. 1 to May 31, 2025, the municipality already collected more than PHP5 million in environmental fees.

With the municipality having approved its Tourism Development Plan, a tourism officer has been appointed to manage and handle the town’s tourism development.

Smith said that from just 11 transient homes, they saw a boost to more than 20 accommodation establishments that allow their town to accept overnight visitors.

“Even if we are just a few hours from Baguio, many opt to experience an overnight stay in our town because of the different coldness of the night and early morning sunrise view amid flower and vegetable gardens,” he said.

Smith said new businesses contribute to the economy through the taxes being paid to the municipality.

He added the opening of the accommodation facilities has provided job opportunities for the locals, including the youth.

Smith said that with the booming experiential tourism activities in the town, particularly at the Northern Blossom and Sakura Park, tour guiding as a source of livelihood among the youth has risen, bringing to the fore the “shy character” of the townspeople.

Likewise, he said the funds they collect allows them to manage their garbage, hauling them to the lowlands due to the absence of an engineered sanitary landfill in the area.

“We are also able to buy garbage trucks for collection in the villages. We also encourage the villages to implement waste segregation to maintain a good environment that has brought the town economic growth,” Smith said.

Agri-sales

Smith said that with numerous tourists visiting the town, vegetables, flowers and potted plants grown by residents are also bought at good prices, eliminating the need to transport them to the markets outside the municipality.

Among the most popular floral species in the town are the carnations which grow abundantly due to the area’s cold weather. Heirloom rice and other highland vegetables are also available.

Northern Blossom

Lany Ganayan, owner of the Northern Blossom, said her family has been in the flower and vegetable industry for decades, bringing their produce and consolidating the produce of their townmates for transport to Metro Manila and other markets.

In an interview with the local media, Ganayan said “a local journalist used to take photo of our cabbage roses. He later brought a vlogger who featured us and that was the start of people coming to visit us.”

She said they initially had some difficulties coping with the influx of tourists, but they eventually adopted with the help of some locals.

“We slowly improved our place and we saw the effect, more people coming to visit and we are able to provide jobs to our townmates which was a satisfaction for us while we went on to bring our produce to other markets,” Ganayan said.

Aside from Northern Blossom, the Sakura Park or the Japan and Philippines Friendship Garden is another widely visited destination, owing to the cherry blossoms planted there to celebrate the two nations’ 50th friendship anniversary.

Smith said, “We are thankful for the private agri-tourism destinations for the opportunity they gave to our people.”

The mayor said their town’s inclusion in the Baguio tourism loop is a big boost to the local economy. (PNA)