History
In the early 1970’s, only a few tourists mainly missionaries and the more adventurous, young and energetic, curious and Hippie styled Filipinos from the lowlands visit Sagada. The tourism boom started in the early 1980’s when a phenomenal number of Europeans flocked to this mountain hideaway. The people soon got used to the presence of tourists visiting the town.
Tour guiding services then had been through recommendation basis from the first three inns namely Saint Joseph’s Rest house, Julia’s Inn now Masferre’s and Travelers Inn. Mr. Jacinto Degay, more popularly known to tourist as “ the old man at the back of the hospital” had been the most prominent tour guide accompanied by his sons. Other local guides had been tapped as the need arose.
By the late 1980’s, Sagada experienced the effects of a nationwide conflict but this did not deter the up-surging tourism industry. The concept of eco-tourism has become the thrust of governmental programs and Sagada became a prime candidate for implementation as it is endowed with nature’s gifts such as caves, burial grounds, mountains, waterfalls, rice terraces as well as a very rich culture that attract and cater to people of various interests.
But these God given wonders are slowly being degraded because of human activities.
In response to this, the Gaston Z Ortigas Peace Institute conducted an Eco-Tourism Workshop attended by local guides; Jessie Degay and Arthur Dagacan on October 14-16, 1993. As a follow-up, Vice Mayor Thomas Killip, Jessie Degay, Arthur Dagacan and David Fowler, a tourist residing in Sagada, felt the necessity of organizing the tour guides in order to address the growing needs of a thriving tourist destination. An organization is inevitable as the guides are the front liners of the tourism industry.
In February 1994, a proposal of organizing the tour guides was brought to attention to all interested individuals and tour guides within Sagada. Thus began the series of consultations and meetings which eventually led to the creation of the Sagada Environmental Guides Association. (SEGA) envisioned becoming a competitive eco-tourism organization.
Meanwhile, the Department of Tourism issued a memorandum for all resort towns to form a tourism council, Sagada ardently did so. But when it was directed that all members should come mostly from business sector, Sagada balked and instead formed a 24 member tourism council composed of representatives from the local government, business sector, farmers, women, church, hotel owners, drivers association, NGO’s, and the tour guides.
As the years progressed, members of SEGA attended trainings and seminar workshops to equip them with the skills and dexterities mandated by the job like the following: A Training on Basic Tour Guiding conducted by the department of tourism on November 21-23, 1994, A First Aid and Rescue Training sponsored by the Philippine National Red Cross, A First Aid Training sponsored by some New York based Igorots, A Training Workshop on Mountain Guiding spearheaded by the UP Mountaineering Club.
On October 9, 1998 after complying with all the requirements, the Sagada Environmental Guides Association Inc. was registered at the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The organization was accredited by the Department of Tourism as a viable association and at the same time was awarded a Plaque of Recognition by the Regional Director Purification Molintas on December 22, 1999 for its invaluable services rendered.
The SEGA has been playing a very active and vital role in community development. As an environmental group, it offers voluntary services for the Sagada Solid Waste Management. Even with ample paramedical background, the members of the SEGA are continually being tapped in Search and Rescue Operations. It is an organization helping the community towards sustainable management, maintenance and preservation of the environment.
