MALABON -- Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Teo on Monday vowed that the agency would partner with the local government unit of Malabon to further promote its very own heritage and culinary tricycle tours.
"Hopefully, this will invite foreign tourists, masaya 'yan dahil wala 'yan sa kanila," she told reporters in an interview. "When you're in Bangkok, they have the Tuk Tuk, here we have our tricycle drivers, magagaling din dahil trained."
The Malabon Tricycle Tours offers trips to different churches within the city which she believes will further boost the DOT Faith Tourism.
"This covers all from culture, faith and culinary tourism. It covers everything," Teo said.
"Also, we'll be able to help the local community such as the tricycle drivers and I really want that, reaching out (to) the community and helping local people," she added. "We are going to promote this."
The Tricycle Tours has three different packages to choose from, the Heritage Tour priced at PHP250 per person, the Food Trip Special Tour at PHP750 and the combined food and heritage tour at PHP900 per person.
The Heritage Tour includes ten destinations, from Malabon ancestral house visits and trip to old churches.
Of the ten destinations, tourists may get to appreciate the unique Baroque architecture of San Bartolome Church, the Nepomuceno, Ibaviosa, Rivera and Raymundo Ancestral House, the Syjuco Mansion, and the El Casa Katipunero.
At the same time, visitors will be brought to the home of award-winning artist Angel Cacnio and to the Artes de Paseo Art Gallery.
Meanwhile, for the Food Trip Special, participants will get to taste unique Malabon delicacies such as The Original: Dolor's Kakanin, Nanay's Pancit Malabon, Hazel's Puto, Jamico's Restaurant, Betsy's Cake Center known for their soft broas, and the Lugaw Experience.
Since its December 2014 launch, Malabon Mayor Lenlen Oreta said the Tricycle Tours had been gaining attention even from international visitors, and one notable trip was from a group of Harvard students who came in dozens.
Eduardo Ramos, tourism officer of Malabon, said packages are availed at the City Tourism & Cultural Affairs Office. (PNA)
