DOT Region 02 Holds Cultural Tour for Senior Women
In line with its continuing efforts to promote inclusive, sustainable, and experience-driven tourism, the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 02, on March 24, 2026, conducted the first day of its two-day Immersive Cultural Tour for senior citizens under the flagship Philippine Experience Program (PEP). The activity also serves as a revalidation tour, highlighting the region’s readiness to offer curated cultural and pilgrimage tourism experiences.
Held in celebration of National Women’s Month, the activity brings together senior women participants for a meaningful journey that integrates spirituality, heritage appreciation, and community engagement. The initiative underscores the important role of women—particularly elder women—as culture bearers who help preserve and pass on the region’s identity.
The first day of the tour features a pilgrimage route across selected historic and spiritually significant churches in Cagayan, reinforcing DOT Region 02’s efforts to position the region as a key destination for faith-based tourism, especially with the Lenten season approaching.
Among the sites visited are St. Peter Metropolitan Cathedral in Tuguegarao City, Holy Guardian Angels Parish in Tuao, and Saint Raymond de Peñafort Parish Church in Rizal. These churches are being assessed and curated as part of a proposed Visita Iglesia route aimed at providing pilgrims and tourists with a meaningful and seamless spiritual journey across the region.
Participants are immersed not only in the architectural and historical significance of these religious landmarks but also in the traditions and practices that continue to shape local communities. The itinerary also includes visits to the Cagayan Museum and Historical Research Center, as well as cultural activities such as sinabalu-making, fostering a deeper appreciation of the region’s heritage while promoting active aging, social inclusion, and wellness.
As a revalidation activity, the tour also enables DOT Region 02 and its partners to assess tourism readiness, enhance visitor experience design, and strengthen collaboration with local government units and stakeholders. Insights gathered will contribute to the ongoing development of tourism circuits under the Philippine Experience Program.
With the Lenten season fast approaching, DOT Region 02 invites travelers, pilgrims, and families to explore the region’s emerging Visita Iglesia routes and rediscover faith through the rich cultural heritage of the Cagayan Valley.
Through initiatives such as this, DOT Region 02 continues to champion tourism that is inclusive, culturally rooted, and transformative—where every journey becomes a celebration of heritage, faith, and community.#