Santa Ana, Cagayan – On November 09 – 11, 2021, various visitors and guests from the tourism sector, media entities, and travel agencies in the Region visited tourist destinations at the Cagayan Special Economic and Freeport Zone to conduct Local Validation Trip for the Amazing Santa Ana Tourism Circuit

The Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) and the Municipal Tourism Office of Santa Ana has proven that the municipality is not only confined with white and pristine beaches as it also promotes ‘fireflies watching’ as one of the tourism attractions.

During the Dry Run Test for Santa Ana Tourism Circuit that started November 09, 2021 which was organized by the Department of Tourism Regional Office No. 02, CEZA revealed that the Authority has helped the officials of Barangay Casagan for the establishment of the ‘Casagan Eco Adventure’ in 2017 where it offers the fireflies or kulitaptap’ watching. DOT Region 02 and the rest of the validation team experienced the enchanting experience of firefly watching which dwells in “Kulabban” trees abundant in Bgry. Casagan.

The Dry Run Test aims to assess the readiness of the activities identified in the “Amazing Santa Ana” Tourism Circuit in preparation for the reopening of tourism in the Cagayan Valley Region.

Guests and visitors who would like to experience the firefly watching from the community’s multi-purpose hall, tourists will walk for 15-20 minutes to reach the area where the ‘kulalanti’ thrives, the iloko term of firefly. The best time to witness fireflies is during summer season, however, they are elusive if it rains.

On the other hand, CEZA through its Community Development Division also organized the Kulinarya de Casagan, a group of women in the barangay that specializes in making native bibingka and other delicacies and served as tour guides during the firefly watching.

Despite the pandemic, CEZA continuously conducts capability building and establishing policies that are adaptable to the new normal for the members of the Kulinarya such as product development, packaging of their products, tour guiding, among others. The challenging times did not hinder CEZA to continue in reaching out to its organized groups such as the Casagan.