ILOILO CITY — The Department of Tourism in Western Visayas (DOT-6) has recommended the voluntary and temporary closure of establishments in Gigantes island, Carles, Iloilo to pave way for their upgrade.
In a media interview Tuesday, Helen Catalbas, Regional Director of DOT-6 said these establishments are proposed to temporarily close for about three to four months so they could improve their facilities to be well-prepared to accommodate local and foreign tourists.
Catalbas said that their office is willing to provide tourism awareness intensive seminars to frontliners, tricycle drivers, boat operations, hotel and restaurant owners, among others.
“We want it to be more beautiful before summer or season of tourists,” she said.
However, Catalbas clarified that it is just a suggestion as the decision will still be up to the local government unit of Carles.
Mayor Salagunting Betita of Carles welcomed the suggestion of DOT-6, saying he will create a committee to assess the compliance of about 36 establishments around the island to rules and regulations, ordinances and other laws.
“We will talk to them if they can temporarily close for renovation or cleanup,” he said.
Betita said that if the establishments will agree, the closure will be done one at a time because they are also concerned of its impact, especially to workers.
“It will be difficult for them because they will look for another alternative livelihood,” he said.
Each establishment on the island has an average of 10 workers, he said.
The recommendation of DOT-6 was among the results of the Northern Iloilo Cruise Tourism Ocular Inspection and Stakeholders Dialogue at the Provincial Capitol on Tuesday.
Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. recognized the need for the towns in northern Iloilo to be improved to attract more local and foreign tourists.
Among the issues mentioned by the governor was the lack of facilities of establishments, restaurants where tourists could dine, accommodation and means of transportation in and out of the island.
He said that series of meetings will be conducted with the concerned government agencies and local chief executives to discuss how they will bring further developments in these towns known to be tourism sites.
“We will come up with a plan of action,” Defensor said.
“It is better that we can address this problem before the season of tourists comes,” he added.
Defensor also said that he will invite representatives from the private sector if they are interested to invest. (Cindy Ferrer/PNA)
