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Doña Remedios Trinidad (DRT) is the largest municipality in Bulacan with a total land area of 93,296 hectares, occupying almost one-third of the province.

Seventy-five percent of DRT consists of forestland and timber land that is home to breathtaking mountains and majestic falls, perfect for adventure-seekers.

Even though it's the largest municipality in Bulacan, it is said to be the oft-unexplored town in the province. Nonetheless, the first-class municipality is significantly making a name in the tourism scene, thanks to social media and the initiative of former biological sciences teacher Michael Cruz.

Photo from Michael Liansing Cruz's Facebook account

Michael is the one who introduced the tourism of DRT to the world with the intention of protecting and nurturing its natural environment to drive tourism while providing its residents livelihood.

In an email interview with GMANetwork.com, he said, "Sa aking obserbasyon, ang pangunahing dahilan na nagtutulak sa mga lokal na mamamayan na sirain ang kalikasan ay ang kawalan ng oportunidad. Dahil dito, naisip ko na gamitin ang kalikasan upang pagkakitaan sa pamamagitan ng turismo.

"Sa kasalukuyan, nagiging partner ng LGU ang mga lokal na mamamayan sa pangangalaga ng kalikasan dahil pinagkakakitaan nila ito sa pamamagitan ng pagiging tourist guide."

The local government of DRT designated Michael as its Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer (MENRO) and tourism officer to recognize his efforts in stimulating the municipality's economy through tourism.

According to him, around 600,000 tourists visited DRT in 2019 which is four times higher than the number of tourists who visited the idyllic town in 2016.

More so, the number of tourists increased at the time of COVID-19 pandemic despite the preventive measures being implemented by the government as issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

The local government of DRT is strictly imposing a 50% reduced capacity to maintain social distancing, as well as the 'no face mask, no face shield, no entry' policy in the municipality's tourist destinations.

Michael detailed, "Sa pagdating ng pandemya, muling nagbukas ang turismo sa bayan ng DRT sa pagsampa ng lalawigan sa MGCQ. Ito ay upang muling pagyabungin ang ekonomiya at mapangalagaan ang kalikasan.

"Sa sobrang pagkasabik ng mga tao na muling makalabas ng kanilang tahanan dahil sa pandemya, pinipili ng mas nakararami ang pagbisita sa DRT dahil sa lapit nito sa Metro Manila. Dahil dito, higit na napansin ang iba't-ibang lugar panturismo ng bayan. Malaking tulong ito sa larangan ng turismo, subalit naging malaking hamon sa LGU ang pagpapatupad ng minimum health protocols. Kaya higit na pinaigting ng lokal na IATF ang mga polisiya na may kinalaman dito.

"Mahigpit na ipinatupad ang 50% reduced capacity upang makatalima sa social distancing sa mga tourist destinations, maging ang mahigpit na pagpapatupad ng pagsusuot ng face mask at face shield."

As of the moment, there are 40 potential tourist destinations all over DRT.

Among the top destinations there are Tila Pilon Hills (Brgy. Kalawakan), Balistada Hills (Brgy. Kalawakan), Secret Falls (Brgy. Camachile), Mandala Falls (Brgy. Camachile), Kabayunan View Deck (Brgy. Kabayunan), Talon ni Eva (Brgy. Kalawakan), Verdivia Falls (Brgy. Talbak), and 13 Falls & Candle Monument (Brgy. Camachin).

If you are planning to visit DRT soon, you can check the November 13 episode of Biyahe Ni Drew below for further details about these spots.

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