ILOILO CITY — Iloilo’s provincial government will meet with the Department of Tourism 6 (Western Visayas) next month to tackle preparations for the creation of a tourism authority in northern Iloilo.
In a media interview Monday, Provincial Administrator Raul Banias said they have scheduled a meeting with DOT-6 Director Helen Catalbas first week of June to discuss how they could prepare the towns of northern Iloilo to cater to visitors under the proposed tourism authority.
The coastal towns in the northern part of the province are known for their rich island resort destinations. The town of Carles has 22 to 24 islands while Concepcion town has 17.
Earlier, Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. pushed for the establishment of the tourism authority to prepare northern Iloilo, especially Carles and Concepcion, to become “real tourist destinations.”
He mentioned that these areas are not ready for the influx of tourists due to limited facilities.
“One of the concerns of the governor is the infrastructure to accommodate tourists — accommodation like bed and breakfast and facilities and restaurants where tourists could stay,” Banias said.
He added that they will also discuss the operation of motor bancas from the mainland to the different island destinations, as well as protection of the environment.
Meanwhile, Banias said the provincial government is currently doing the necessary preparations, which is more on the oversight, guidelines and policy direction of the proposed tourism authority.
He, however, said these plans would be implemented by the local government units (LGUs).
“The province can provide possibly resources that they need, which they cannot provide, but the management is still with the LGU,” Banias said.
“We have to consider that most of the tourism destinations are privately owned. There should be an enhanced coordination, dialogue with the private sector because they own the facilities in the destination,” he added. (Cindy Ferrer/PNA)
