ILOILO CITY — A total of 372 graduates of the Tourism Industry Skills Program (TISP) will be the new frontliners to assist local and foreign visitors in Western Visayas.
The graduates, beneficiaries of the Department of Tourism-Western Visayas skills program, came from the provinces of Antique, Capiz and Guimaras.
DOT-6 regional director Helen Catalbas said the beneficiaries of the program come from the poor communities of the region who were trained to receive good pay and improve their livelihood as residents of Western Visayas.
“They will be the service providers. They will be the one to attend to the travel needs of the tourists when visiting their respective barangays, cities or municipalities,” she added.
The graduates came from associations of fishermen, tricycle drivers, women’s and other groups active in the community.
In the province of Antique, the graduates include the 27 beneficiaries of the Community Eco-Guiding Training for Libertad Tricycle Owners and Drivers Association, Libertad; 27 from the Homestay Training for Libertad Women’s Balikatan Multi-Purpose Cooperative; and 31 beneficiaries of the Community Eco-Guiding Training for Bugang Community-Based Tourism Organization.
In the province of Capiz, 30 graduated from the Community Eco-Guiding Training for Bugang Community-Based Tourism Organization; 43 beneficiaries of the Food and Beverages Service Skills Training for Roxas City under several associations namely Palina River Development Association, Lawis Baybay Small Fisherfolks Association of Roxas City,
Katunggan sa Culajao Salbaron Association and Samahan ng mga Vermicologist sa Roxas City; 42 beneficiaries of Designing Gifts and Souvenirs; and also 42 beneficiaries of Training on Food preparation, hygiene and safety.
From Guimaras, the graduates included 24 beneficiaries of the Tour Guiding Training, 40 from the Food and Beverage Service, 34 beneficiaries of the Front Office Skills Training, and 32 beneficiaries of the Housekeeping Skills Training.
The various training programs were all carried out by frontliners from the accredited resorts, tourist inns, and pension houses of Guimaras-Tourism Council.
Catalbas expressed hope to be able to produce more tourism frontliners and workers in the region through TISP. (Cindy Ferrer/PNA)
