SUNFLOWERS BRING HAPPINESS. Sharon Idone enjoys the sunflowers in L. Naldoza Agri Tourism Farm, Miagao, Iloilo. (Photo Credits: Xane Advertising Corp.)

The first sunflower farm in southern Iloilo has started attracting local tourists in Miagao.

It enhanced the town’s agri-tourism industry since its soft opening last September 10, 2019.

“Nagdamo nga nagdamo ang tawo asta nga ang turista nahikayat pati na ang mga taga-banwa sa tupad kang Miagao nagkadto naman,” said Roy Sollesta, Tourism Information Center staff.

The local government of Miagao did not expect that “L. Naldoza Agri Tourism Farm” in Barangay Kirayan Tacas would draw a lot of visitors.

“I never thought people would flock that way especially the locals who were excited to see sunflowers,” said Miagao Vice Mayor Leonardo Naldoza

For only P20, visitors could already enjoy and take pictures on more or less than 7,000 sunflowers.

There are varieties of sunflower found in the farm like sunflowers with black center, green center and even twin sunflowers. On an aerial view, the sunflowers are magnificently patterned as heart and a symbol of peace.

“As we all know, sunflowers are known to be a trend for us millennials. I am a sunflower lover myself and I like to call the farm heaven. Seeing those sunflowers bloom somehow makes me happy,” Miss Millennial Philippines Iloilo 2019 Sharon Idone said.

“It is the perfect spot for happiness while still keeping up with the trend, she added.

The operation in the sunflower farm is expected to improve by providing additional facilities for the visitors.

“Ipinapagawa ko na yung Comfort Rooms para kapag pumunta sila doon , may magandang CR para sa mga turista,” Naldoza said.

“I am also planning on putting up a kapehan mula sa aming kabundukan, unlimited local coffee for them (visitors),” he added.

The future plans on the Agri-Tourism farm includes one kilometre Kayaking, Boating, 25 metre high Monkey Stair and Vegetable picking for the visitors stated by Vice Mayor Naldoza.

As tourists flock in, locals in Barangay Kirayan Tacas were given an opportunity for livelihood.

“Nagtugruan kang livelihood ang mga pumuluyo sa Kirayan Tacas kay ti pag abot o mo palang to may ara na gabaligya tubig asta sa sulod ridto may mga souvenir items run which is nami man,” Sollesta said.

Despite being a seasonal and weather-dependent tourist attraction, Vice Mayor Naldoza said that he will try his best so that the Agri-tourism farm will not lose its sunflowers. /Louangel Jei D. Benjamin/ University of the Philippines Visayas