Guimaras aims to enhance its agri-tourism potential

December 11th, 2009 by Site Administrator

The Local Government Support Program-Local Economic Development (LGSP-LED) is now working hand-in-hand with the provincial government of Guimaras to further enhance the agri-tourism potential of the province.

Guimaras, according to its provincial tourism officer Angeles Gabinete, is a recipient of a P10-million support for their community-based rural tourism (CBRT) projects that will be developed in 10 months.

The end goal is to raise community awareness on environmental management and protection, cultural preservation and promotion and economic empowerment.

It kicked off with awareness on tourism, appreciation, tourism mapping that covers barangays and municipalities, project planning and implementation.

Angeles said they have identified 36 CBRTs but to date 11 are already matured or those that have been capacitated, trained on project management and operation, financial management and structure and policies.

Six of the 11 she said received funds from the LGSP-LED.

The projects are situated in the municipalities of Jordan, Nueva Valencia and Buenavista which include a marine rescue center, weaving, among others.

“These projects really contributed much to poverty alleviation and poverty reduction of local government units (LGUs),” she said.

Gabinete further added that the province is also being assisted by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) through the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI).

She added that they looked forward to really placing the province in the tourism map because it now has a direction and clear framework contained in their provincial physical framework plan integrated with their tourism master plan.

“For 30 years Guimaras envisions to become an agri-tourism destination of Western Visayas,” she said. “We have kicked off with community/barangay based community tourism awareness and appreciation because of that direction and clear framework.”

Tourism awareness at the local level or those in barangays, schools, transport sector and other tourism industry organization is already about 40 percent, she said.

At the international level, Gabinete disclosed that Guimaras is the only province that was invited to present about CBRT during the recent Asia Pacific Economic Promotions in Malaysia.

Governor Felipe Hilan Nava also talked about Guimaras in several international gatherings held in Cambodia, Spain, China and other Asian countries.

“Guimaras is already in the map but we still have a lot to do,” she said.

Recently, the province during the Western Visayas Tourism Assembly, was recognized as the Best Tourism-Oriented LGU for provincial level category.

Further, the Guisi Community-based Heritage Tourism Project in Barangay Dolores, Nueva Valencia was awarded the Best Emerging Destination Award while the Lawi Marine Turtle Rescue Center and Sapal Weaving Village were given special awards.

All three are from the province of Guimaras.

The Barangay Hoskyn Tourism Council in Jordan town was named as the best tourism council while special awards were given to the tourism councils of Barangay Dolores, Nueva Valencia; Sapal, San Lorenzo and Salvacion and Tastasan in Buenavista, all in Guimaras.

The municipality of Nueva Valencia was also recognized as Best Tourism-oriented LGU for the municipal category (PNA) LAP/ajp/PGLena/vlo