By Ma. Teresa Montemayor | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the Department of Tourism (DOT) on Monday awarded the top 15 local government units (LGUs) that won in the Tourism Champions Challenge (TCC).
The TCC is the DOT’s response to Marcos’ vision for the Philippines to become a tourism powerhouse in Asia. Guidelines for its implementation were approved on April 4, 2023.
Citing the National Tourism Development Plan of 2023-2028, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said the DOT is committed to the equalization of tourism product development and promotion.
“While mass tourism has boosted our economy, it has also brought challenges to our local sites and communities. Concentrated tourism development can lead to social, environmental, and cultural strains,” Frasco said.
“Through the TCC, we are taking deliberate steps to distribute tourism growth more evenly, ensuring that every community benefits from our collective efforts,” she added
The DOT regional offices received about 98 project proposals from 90 LGUs. Each of the proposals aims to enhance and develop local tourism destinations.
The best project proposals were selected according to these criteria: resiliency, inclusivity, and sustainable development (20%); relevance to the “Challenge” theme (10%); project objective and impact to tourism (20%); economic and financial viability (20%); sustainability mechanism (15%); and, presentation quality (15%).
The judges are from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the University of the Philippines Asian Institute of Tourism.
Of the 15 selected LGUs, five are from Luzon, five are from Visayas, and five are from Mindanao. They were ranked first to fifth place.
In Luzon, the five LGUs are:
- 1st Place: Ambaguio, Nueva Vizcaya for Ambaguio Skyport – The 1st Local Paragliding “Airport Terminal” in the Philippines
- 2nd Place: Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro for Pinagpalang Lagusan sa Bakawanan: A Mangrove Forest Park Development
- 3rd Place: Bolinao, Pangasinan for Legacy of the Sea Project: A Silaki Island Community-Based Tourism Project
- 4th Place: San Jose, Romblon for Eco-Tourism Park
- 5th Place: Socorro, Oriental Mindoro for Naujan Lake Wetlands Center
In Visayas, the five winner LGUs are:
- 1st Place: Tubigon, Bohol for Enchanted Ilijan Plug of Tubigon
- 2nd Place: Badian, Cebu for Badian Toong Spring Nature Park
- 3rd Place: Silago, Southern Leyte for Silago Ridge to Reef Eco-Experience Project: Promoting Sustainability through Eco-Heritage Tourism
- 4th Place: Victorias City, Negros Occidental for Gawahon, A Birder’s Paradise: Haven for Sustainable and Inclusive Eco-Tourism
- 5th Place: Panay, Capiz for Panay: A Coastal Resource Experience
In Mindanao, the five winners are:
- 1st Place: Isabela City, Basilan for Lampinigan SANDS: The Lampinigan Jetty Port and Leisure Development Project
- 2nd Place: Davao City, Davao del Sur for Panunod: A Way of Life, Inherited Preservation of the Unwavering Legacy of Cultural and Sustainable Tourism of the Davao City
- 3rd Place: Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte for Mangrove Boardwalk and Gallery
- 4th Place: Tagum City, Davao del Norte for Truly Tagum: Advancing the Benefits of an Enriched Heritage-Tourism Circuit
- 5th Place: San Agustin, Surigao del Sur for Tourist Catwalk at Gata to Bretania Mangrove Areas
President Marcos and Frasco awarded the winners with a certificate and cash budget from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) for the implementation of their project proposals.
The first place winners received P20 million; second place winners, P15 million; third place winners, P10 million; fourth place winners, P8 million; and fifth place winners, P7 million.
After the awarding ceremony, Marcos announced that the TIEZA approved the additional P5 million budget for each winner of the TCC.
“We’re doing this because it is a very, very good policy to invest in success. So, make the most of it. Make the Philippines proud,” he said.
“We assure you that we will match your industry, equal your dedication and compliment your work. The national government will bring more infrastructure, implement tourism-friendly policies and arouse interest from global audiences,” he added.
