Local chief executives expressed appreciation to the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco for championing local government-led tourism initiatives under the Tourism Champions Challenge (TCC).
“It is with great appreciation to be recognized in the Tourism Champions Challenge for believing in our vision and granting us the opportunity to open doors for our coastal communities,” Panay Mayor Vicente Bermejo said.
“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Secretary Frasco and the Department of Tourism, as well as His Excellency, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., for this generous additional reward. Your positive response not only supports the growth of tourism as a pillar of Panay’s economy but contributes to our mission of uplifting the lives of our local communities,” Bermejo added.
Frasco signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the Panay: A Coastal Resource Experience project with Bermejo and TIEZA Assistant Chief Operating Officer Gregory Oller.
The signing was witnessed by Capiz Governor Fredenil Castro and DOT Region VI Regional Director Crisanta Marlene Rodriguez.
Castro underscored the province’s longstanding support for the DOT’s efforts.
“With the Secretary around, the Department of Tourism will now see the map of Panay Island on the map of the Philippines.”
“I just want the Secretary to know that even before the groundbreaking this morning, the Provincial Government ever since, has always been supportive of the programs of the Department of Tourism. With the Secretary around, the Department of Tourism will now see the map of Panay Island on the map of the Philippines, because before, we had never been given any attention the way the good Secretary has given us her attention, and I am sure that this attention will result in the discovery of more potentials in the province,” the governor said.
The MOA outlines the defined responsibilities of each party in implementing the P12-million Tourism Champions Challenge (TCC) project.
As agreed by all parties, the DOT shall provide strategic oversight and program direction, while TIEZA shall fund and manage the infrastructure component and its turnover.
Meanwhile, the Municipality of Panay shall ensure on-ground implementation, permitting, and long-term maintenance of the project.
“This was born out of the earnest desire that our local government units are given an opportunity to be developed in terms of tourism and given assistance by the national government.”
“The Tourism Champions Challenge is a flagship program of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. This was born out of the earnest desire that our local government units be given an opportunity to be developed in terms of tourism and given assistance by the national government,” Frasco said.
“Our LGUs possess the experience, the knowledge, as well as the vision in terms of developing their respective destinations in a manner that is sensitive to their culture, heritage, and prioritizes their communities. Hence, the Tourism Champions Challenge was born,” the tourism chief added.
The tourism head commended the Municipality of Panay for proposing such a meaningful project—one that not only involves the rehabilitation of the Pawa terminal and the construction of mangrove cottages, but more importantly, ensures that community-based tourism organizations—which have long supported the municipality’s coastal areas—are actively engaged and empowered in the success of this tourism product.
