Sales opportunities were conducted by showcasing the region’s tourist attractions, products and services through DOT V’s participation in the VIZ-MIN Travel and Lifestyle Expo 2006 last February 17-19, 2006 at SM Cebu City Trade Hall. The event was jointly organized by the Cebu Travel and Tours Association, the Cebu Association of Tour Operators and theGlobal-Link Business Coomunications (Phils) Inc. This tourism event provided opportunities for DOT V to meet potential clients and generated new business transactions from the promotion of Bicol Region’s tourism potentials. Promotional materials such as brochures of Donsol featuring the whaleshark (Butanding) interaction and WOW Bicol Tour packages were given out during the three day affair.
2. 25TH ASEAN TOURISM FORUM
The 25th ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) was held last January 13-21, 2006, in Davao City. The ATF is the largest annual tourism event in the Asean region and is a cooperative regional effort to promote the Asean region as one tourist destination involving 10 members countries - Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Mayanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Anchored on its goal to promote ASEAN as a single tourism destination through regional tourism cooperation, the ATF has since played a valuable role in the rapid tourism success of ASEAN-member countries. The ATF was attended by about 3,000 top tourism industry policy makers, practitioners and suppliers of Asean-based tourism products and services in the Philippines and neighboring Asean countries. The Bicol Region was represented by the Local Government of Camarines Sur and showcased its emerging and best destination, the Caramoan Peninsula. Thru the efforts of Gov. Luis Raymund (LRay) Villafuerte, the province of Camarines Sur participated in the 25th ATF exhibit, three (3) booths of which highlighted the cream-colored sand beaches of Caramoan Peninsula.
During the Asean Tourism Forum, Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano has delineated seven tourism destinations in the country namely: Metro Manila, Cebu and Bohol, Palawan, Subic, Baguio, Bicol and Cagayan de Oro City. Having identified as one of the premier tourism destination in Asia, DOT Region V promoted the whalesharks of Donsol, Sorsogon. DOT V hosted the whaleshark interaction of seven Asean Tourism Forum (ATF) delegates from the United States, Germany, Netherlands, Canada, Pakistan and Taiwan. The delegates had an unforgettable experience diving with the whalesharks of Donsol. This unforgettable experience by the ATF 2006 delegates Meng Feng Hu of Taiwan, Saiffudin Isamalji of Pakistan, Peter Wuwdt and Swan Hong Oie of Netherlands, Fred Gebhar of the United States, Ronald Galka of Germany and Ted Davis of Canada will help bring more foreign tourists in Bicol. The ATF delegates had their sumptuous meal at Small Talk Café and were billeted at Hotel Venezia in Legazpi City.
3. PTAA TRAVEL TOUR EXPO 2006
On its 11th year, the Travel Tour Expo 2006 took place last February 6-8, 2006 at the Megatrade Halls of SM Megamall Building B, Mandaluyong City. Sponsored by the Philippine Travel Agencies Association and co-presented by the Department of Tourism, the 3-day expo serves as a venue for industry players to establish a market presence, network and showcase new products and services. It is a one-stop mega marketplace for travel shopping that showcases quality products or destinations – including hotels, resorts, and other places worth visiting all over the world – and services suited both for domestic and international travelers. DOT V participated in the Travel Tour Expo. Two booths were rented and showcased Region V’s tourist destinations. The following are the promotional materials produced for the said expo:
• 1 pc. 36x72 photo gloss framed poster with Gayon Bicol Logo
• 6 pcs. 36x36 photo gloss framed posters of the 6 provinces of Bicol
• 4 pcs. 5x10 tarpaulin
• 1 pc 7x14 tarpaulin
500 pcs. of WOW Bicol Tour Packages brochures and 500 pcs. brochures of Butanding were given out during the exhibit. Two staff from DOT V manned the booth for the three day affair.
4. ALIWAN FIESTA 2006
Organized by the Manila Broadcasting Company, in partnership with the cities of Manila and Pasay and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Aliwan grand fiesta was held last April 27 to 29, 2006. This grand event brought together all the country’s grandest festivals which featured street dancers, craftsmen and musicians, all decked out in colorful costumes, and vied for the P1 million grand prize in the street dance and float competitions. Himag-Ulaw Festival of Placer, Masbate was Region V’s bet to the competition. The Himag-Ulaw festival queen candidate for the Reyna ng Aliwan won the first runner-up title. DOT V sponsored the hotel accommodation of the Masbate contingent and their transportation going to Manila.
5. LUZONWIDE HIGHER EDUCATION PRESS CONFERENCE
DOT Region V assisted this year’s Luzonwide Higher Education Press Conference last February 8-11, 2006 at the Naga Regent Hotel in Naga City. Hosted by the Bicol Association of Tertiary School Publication Advisers, Inc. (BATSPA) and the Commission on Higher Education, Region V, the conference was attended by more than 700 tertiary campus writers and advisers from Ilocos, Cagayan, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol and Cordillera regions and competed the various levels in campus journalism. DOT V handed out WOW Bicol tour packages brochures to participating students and coordinated with the Department of Trade and Industry for a mini “Pasalubong Shop” at the hotel. DTI V identified six (6) accredited sellers of quality souvenir items from native bags, slippers, pilinut candies, T-shirts, packed dried fish, bamboo products, candle holders, etc. DOT V also sponsored a familiarization tour around Albay and Legazpi City to the participating students by providing a tourist bus and a tour guide.
6. 6th BICOL TOURISM, TRADE AND INVESTMENT MISSION TO USA
The 6th Bicol Tourism, Trade and Investment Mission to the USA was held last July 13-21, 2006. This was highlighted by the 2006 Bicol National Association of America (BNAA) Convention from July 14-16, 2006 at Gwinnett Place Marriot Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. This undertaking complements the “WOW Philippines” marketing campaign of the Department, to attract Filipino-Americans whose roots are in the Bicol Region, to visit and/or invest in Bicol.
The delegates composed of 31 local government officials led by Governor Luis Raymund (LRay) Villafuerte of the province of Camarines Sur, Governor Antonio Kho of Masbate, Gov. Leandro Verceles, Jr. of Catanduanes, Provincial Board Members, Municipal and City Mayors, Councilors, tourism stakeholders and tourism officers attended the 26th BNAA convention, whose mission is to promote business and investment opportunities and tourism between the USA and the Philippines. This year’s convention host was the Sarong Banggi of Georgia, Inc., an affiliate of BNAA jointly headed by its board chairman Dr. Ramon Marquez, MD and president Gani Alipante-Compingbutra, natives of Basud, Camarines Norte and Camaligan, Camarines Sur, respectively.
From the various American cities and states, more than 1,000 delegates including students and young professionals attended the grand convention. The ballroom as well as the convention center of the plush Gwinnett Marriot Hotel in Atlanta was virtually jam-packed for four consecutive days and nights, from registration of delegates to the colorful closing program. Bicolana tycoon Ms. Loida Nicolas-Lewis, chair and chief executive officer of the multinational giant TLC Beatrice, was the guest of honor and speaker. Next year’s convention will be held for one whole week at the now very popular Capitol Convention Center from June 24-30, 2007 in Pili, Camarines Sur
7. 1st MINDANAO TRAVEL & TOUR EXPO
The 1st Mindanao Travel & Tour Expo in Davao City is a challenge undertaken by DOT-Region V to open and widen its promotional campaign for Bicol, through establishment of linkage markets in this part of the country and its nearby islands. It is the regional office’s initial step to introduce and/or create awareness of Bicol tourism products and services to the Mindanao market, as well as the Asian market, considering Davao’s strategic closeness to Palau, Brunei, Singapore Indonesia and Malaysia.
A total of sixty-three (63) exhibitors, composed mostly of travel agencies, airlines, hotels, resorts, and LGUs, including the two (2) DOT regional offices from Luzon: DOT-Region 1 and DOT-Region V, respectively, have participated in the 1st MTTE.
The DOT-Region V booth has showcased the top tourist destinations of the six (6) provinces of Bicol. The Bicol exhibit has marked a significant interest and awareness within the Mindanao market, attributed to the daily influx of visitors to the DOT-Region V booth, which is the most frequently visited booth, as well as the 3,500 flyers, brochures and tour packages distributed during the 3-day tourism event.
8. 17th PHILIPPINE TRAVEL MART
The 17th Philippine Travel Mart gathered the most number of participants composed of tour operators from all regions, resorts, hotels, airlines and shipping industry, tour operators, travel agents, hospitals, spas and wellness centers located all over the country. Held last September 8-10, 2006 at the Megatrade Halls of SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, the three-day event presented tour and medical tourism packages with special rates and a variety of exciting options. Focused on the theme “Wellness and Health Care at Its Best”, tourism stakeholders both from the government and private sectors converged on these dates and showcased the best of their products in terms of value and culture, attractions, hospitality and their people.
In its pursuit to make Bicol a premier tourist destination in the Philippines, the Department of Tourism, Region V sponsored the 12m x 4m pavilion type booth as assistance to the Province of Camarines Sur. Ms. Marife Maralit, the Provincial Tourism Officer of Camarines Sur and her staff manned the Caramoan Peninsula booth and were readily equipped with several promotional materials like brochures, flyers, t-shirts, CDs, DVDs and souvenir items like miniature “walis tambo”. On the other hand, 1000 pcs. brochures of WOW Bicol tour packages and 1000 pcs promotional materials of Albay, Camarines Norte, Sorsogon, Masbate and Catanduanes were also given out during the 3-day event. Mr. Richard Paraguya of Royal Quest Tours, an accredited tour operator, supported and assisted in marketing and promoting the Bicol Region. The Provincial Tourism Officers of Camarines Norte, Mr. Abel Icatlo and Ms. Fe Arroyo of Albay also assisted in promoting and marketing their province.
Special events and activities had been prepared by the organizers for the participating sector. The Best Booth – City Category was awarded to Puerto Princesa, Palawan; Best Booth – Corporate Category was won by Boaracay and the Best Booth – Provincial Category was awarded to the Province of Guimaras. The Bicol Region showcased the best destination of Camarines Sur, the Caramoan Peninsula and was chosen as a finalist to the Best Booth – Provincial Category.
9. GAYON BICOL FIESTA IV
The Gayon Bicol Fiesta is in line with the DOT’s marketing program which has gained wide support from fellow Bicolanos who have invited their friends and relatives residing from the different parts of the country to witness its series of activities since it was first launched in September 2003 at Intramuros, Manila. The Bicolandia event which used to be a 2-week celebration did not only win the interest of the Bicolanos but also those from the other regions, especially from the Metro Manila area who personally observed the spectacular events showcasing the Wealth of Wonders (WOW) of Bicol through the destinations exhibit , trade fair, products’ selling, craft and food demo, photo and arts exhibit, cultural shows, festival presentation, Bicol artist extravaganza and many more.
This year’s Gayon Bicol was focused on the best festivals of the region considering its importance as one attraction for tourism. Festivals usually depict the host locality’s rich culture and tradition, a showcase of their primary product, a sports event distinct in an area or a display of Bicolanos’ talents through artistry and creativity. Capitalizing on this asset, DOT Region V continued this significant event which aimed to create a tourism culture, foster unity and cooperation and ultimately attain the common goal towards economic prosperity through tourism.
Inspired by the resounding success of said tourism extravaganza, the regional office made it an annual undertaking to be held every month of September in Naga City to complement the biggest pilgrimage in the country, honoring the feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, Patroness of the Bicol Region.
In partnership with the Naga City Government and the Regional Development Council (RDC), the year IV edition of Gayon Bicol Fiesta was highlighted by the Festival Street Dance and Competition and the Search for Bicol Festival Queen. Participated in by the six (6) provinces and six (6) cities of the region, the Gayon Bicol Fiesta coupled with the Peñafrancia festivity, where hundreds of thousands of visitors, tourists, pilgrims and devotees flock the area, has once more captured huge audiences and spectators. The event heightened people’s awareness and appreciation on the unique and colorful festivals held in provinces and cities.
The Festival Street Dance Parade commenced at 1:00 pm from the Central Business District (CBD) Road and ended at Plaza Quezon, Naga City where the Program and Festival Showdown immediately followed. DOT Undersecretary for Tourism Standards and Regional Offices, Hon. Oscar P. Palabyab together with the DOT Regional Directors from CAR, Regions 2, 8, 10 and 11 were among the invited guests, while Ms. Loida Nicolas-Lewis, known as the wealthiest Bicolano in America and the concurrent National Chair of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations delivered the keynote speech. Other guests include national and local officials, executives from various private companies/sectors, members of the tri-media, academe, and the young ambassadors, among others.
Trophies and cash prizes were awarded to the top three (3) winners – Php300,000.00, Php200,000.00, Php100,000.00, while special award of Php20,000.00 was given to the Best in Street Dance. After the Festival Showdown, guests were treated to a cocktails sponsored by the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) – BacMan Geothermal Field, with Mr. Dio Marco in his rendition of Bicol songs.
Search for Miss Bicol Festival Queen was another crowd drawer where nine (9) lovely candidates from the different provinces and cities vie for the battle on beauty and intellect plus the fabulous prizes of Php 30,000, Php20,000.00, and Php15,000.00 for the first to third place winners, respectively. Special awards of Php5,000.00 each were likewise given for the Best designer, Best in Philippine Terno and Best in Festival Costume.
To enhance the promotions of the project, the DOT tapped the ABS-CBN as one of the sponsors, hence, daily TV plugging was aired over national and local ABS-CBN stations and conducted live coverage of the two major events. Moreover, ten members of the national media were invited to cover the event including the Peñafrancia Festival and other priority destinations and for purposes of disseminating proper information on the various tourism programs in Bicol.
10. GAYON BICOL FOOD FESTIVAL
Bicol cuisine is famous for its rich and spicy dishes which are mostly cooked using coconut milk called gata and spiced with a very hot local variety of chili called siling labuyo.
To promote cultural awareness and help tourists appreciate the local delicies that Bicol is known for, the Department of Tourism, Region V, in partnership with EDSA Shangrila Hotel Manila, conducted the Gayon Bicol Food Festival which had a successful run from October 23 to November 23, 2006 at the hotel’s chic HEAT Restaurant.
With the primary aim of introducing and promoting Bicol cuisine as a way of enticing more tourists to visit the Bicol Region --- its provinces, neighboring towns and cities --- the event, now on its fourth year and usually held in first class hotels in Manila, namely the Dusit Hotel Nikko in Makati City, the Manila Pavillion in Ermita, Manila, the Sulu Hotel in Quezon City, and now the EDSA Shangrila in Mandaluyong City, formally opened on October 23, 2006. Guests included Taiwan Ambassador Hsin-Hsing Wu, French Press Attache Carole Lucas, DOT Undersevretary Eduardo Jarque, DBM Secretary Rolando Andaya, Jr., DOT Assistant Secretary Cynthia Carreon, DBM Undersecretary Mario Relompagos, Congressman Edcel Lagman of Albay, Congressman Luis Villafuerte of Camarines Sur, Congressman Joey Solis of Sorsogon, Hon. Chito Monzon of the Presidential Commission on Bicol Affairs, Ms. Rowena Vasquez of USAID, Ms. Loida Nicolas-Lewis and Ms. Tourism International 2006 Justine Gabionza. It was also graced by the tri-media which included Ms. Christine Dayrit of ABS-CBN News Channel, Mr. Mike Miña of What’s On & Expat – Miladay, Ms. Caroline Howard of Film Development Council of the Philippines and Ms. Maria Ceres P. Doyo of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Ms. Carmen Camacho, the famous Bicolana singer of Bicol kundimans, provided the cultural entertainment of guests.
Ms. Didette Peralta of Small Talk Café and Mr. Kiko Cristobal of Waway’s Restaurant and the La Rocca Gardens, all based in Legazpi City, were the guest chefs during said food festival. The spread was a combination of “fusion” and “traditional home-cooked” fare owing to the two chefs’ specializations. Chef Didette’s yummy creations included a few neo-Bicolano dishes like the Pasta Pinangat and fiery hot Bicol Express served in tomato halves. Chef Kiko showcased the more traditional Bicolano cuisine like the real pinangat and beef caldereta, all in their coconut-y glory.
The stinging taste of Bicolano cuisine is neutralized by the sweetness of pili, a nut which is made into various confections that provided one of the best desserts during the entire event.
FESTIVALS ASSISTED:
NAME OF FESTIVAL VENUE/DATE TYPE OF ASSISTANCE
1. Fiesta Tsinoy Legazpi City, January 29, 2006 Fireworks Display – P50,000.00
3. Bicol Arts Festival Albay Php 5,000.00 - foods
4. Luzonwide Higher Educ.
Press Conference Regent Hotel, Naga City P 5,000.00 – 10 Tour
Guides @ P500
5. Harana Festival San Jose, Cam. Sur, Feb 11-15 Php 10,000.00
6. Tinagba Festival Iriga City, Feb. 11 Php 30,000.00
7. Baybayon Festival March 27-29, Sagnay, Cam. Sur Php 10,000.00
8. Bantayog Festival Camarines Norte, April 3-16 Php 50,000.00
9. Rodeo Masbateno Masbate, April 7-10 Php 50,000.00
10. Kadahoman Festival April 21-May 4 Php 5,000.00
11. Butanding Festival April 24-30 Php 10,000 (ABS-CBN)
12. Alinsangan Festival Nabua, Camarines Sur, May 1 Php 5,000.00
13. Magayon Festival ALBAY, May 11-22 Php 200,000 (from DOT-Manila)
14. Pasa-Pasa Festival Monreal, Masbate, April 18-22 Php 5,000.00
15. Malasugui Festival Sabang, Cam. Sur, April 20-23 Php 6,000.00
16. Capalonga festival Capalonga, Cam. Norte, May 13 Php 5,000.00
17. Sarung Banggi Festival Sto. Domingo, Albay, May 19 (ABS-CBN) coverage of St.
Presentation
18. Kaogma Festival Camarines Sur, May 27 Php 50,000.00
19. Pinangat festival Camalig, Albay, June 1-20 ABS-CBN coverage of St.
Presentation (June 20)
20. Pintakasi Iriga City, June 11 Php 10,000.00
21. Pinyasan Festival Daet, Camarines Norte, June 15-24 Php 20,000.00
22. Tabak Festival Tabaco City, June 21-24 Php 50,000.00
23. Pili Festival Sorsogon City, June 1-30 Php 50,000 (Fireworks Display)
24. Maray-A-raga
“Sinarapan” Festival San Buenaventura, Buhi, Cam. Sur Php10,000.00
July 14-15
25. Lubid Festival Malilipot, Albay, July 11-16 Php 10,000.00 (ABS-CBN
coverage)
26. Libon Paroy Festival Libon, Albay, July 21-25 Php5,000.00 (ABS-
CBN Coverage)
27. Layag Festival Rapu-Rapu, Albay, Sept. 19-24 Php5,000.00
28. Catandungan Festival Virac, Catanduanes , Oct 4 Php50,000.00 (fireworks
display)
TOURISM INFORMATION SERVICE
1. Tourism collaterals were printed to guide visitors to the region. Promotional materials produced for tourism events include:
• 100 CDs of Gayon Bicol Audio Visual Presentation
• 10 DVDs of Gayon Bicol Audio Visual Presentation
• 5,000 pcs. brochures WOW Bicol Tour Packages (dollar rate)
• 40 pcs. T-shirts for the BNAA
• 100 pcs. welcome leis
• 16 pcs. plaques and trophies
• 2,500 pcs. postcards
• 60 pcs. 3x7 tarpaulins of Butanding
• 10,000 pcs. brochures – Explore Donsol
• 25 pcs. 2.5mx31.6m photographic stickers mobile display of Bicol region’s prime destination
• 6 pcs. 3.5x10 tarpaulins of the 6 provinces of Bicol
• 1 pc. 36x72 photo gloss framed poster with Gayon Bicol Logo
• 6 pcs. 36x36 photo gloss framed posters of the 6 provinces of Bicol
• 6 pcs. panaflex of the Six Provinces of Bicol
• 90 pcs. promo T-shirts of Gayon Bicol sa Peñafrancia
• 10,000 pcs WOW Bicol Tour Packages (Dollar Rate)
• 10,000 pcs WOW Bicol Tour Packages (Peso Rate)
• 10 pcs DVDs of 24 minute documentary of Bicol Region’s prime destinations
• 10,000 pcs. EZ Map Regional brochures
• 1000 posters of Region V’s destinations
• 42 billboard/banners of Albay destinations
• 50 pcs. Bicol Tourism Situation Report
• 4 pcs. 5x10 tarpaulin
• 1 pc 7x14 tarpaulin
2. DOT Information Counters
To aide visitors, tourists, students and researchers on their queries, the office maintained two information counters, one at the DOT office and the other at the Legazpi City Airport arrival area.
3. WOW Bicol Tourism Website
Designed as a marketing tool, the regional office maintained the WOW Bicol Tourism Website. The website www.wowbicol.com feature the different tourist attractions and monthly activities/festivals throughout the Bicol Region. A regular update of the website was done by DOT V to enable prospective clients from all over the world to survey the Region’s tourism possibilities.
DOT V also assisted group tours by providing itineraries and tour guides and ensured the safe, convenient and enjoyable visit of the travelers to the different tourist destinations of the Bicol Region.
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
1. 2ND QUARTER REGIONAL DIRECTORS’ MEETING
The Bicol Region was chosen as the venue for the 2nd Quarter Regional Directors’ meeting held last May 25-28, 2006. This was attended by Undersecretary Oscar P. Palabyab, eleven (11) Regional Directors, five (5) Heads of DOT Marketing Team, nine (9) DOT regional staff representatives, and two (2) DOT-OTDP representatives. Ms. Maricor Guerrero and Ms. Chat Avelino of DOT RMS, together with the DOT V were the members of the Secretariat. The development of regional website, the www.visitmyphilippines.com which shall contain all relevant/important information for the regions and the production of AVPs were discussed during the meeting. The different Marketing Teams also presented their programs and the latest marketing trends/strategies abroad.
2. TOURIST ARRIVALS
Tourist arrivals gathered from the different accommodation establishments has registered a final report of 637,127 tourists from January to December, 2006, with a marked increase of 27% over 2005. Foreign tourists (49,304) increased by 65% and domestic tourists (587,823) increased by 25% over the same period of the previous year. The province of Camarines Sur, including Naga City, ranked first in tourist arrivals with a total of 258,608 visitors from January to December, 2006, 25,830 of which are foreign tourists and 232,778 are domestic tourists.
TOURISM SERVICES / ACCREDITATION
Twenty One (21) tourism trainings and seminars were conducted to provide quality services and upgrade industry skills in the operations of tourism establishments in the region:
Tour Guiding Techniques for TOPCOPs (Batch 1), Camp Ola, Legazpi City
• Mabuhay Hosts for TOPCOPs (Batch 1), Camp Ola, Legazpi City
• Tourism Awareness Seminar Workshop, Pilar, Sorsogon
• Tour Guiding Techniques for TOPCOPs (Batch 2), Camp Ola, Legazpi City
• Mabuhay Hosts for TOPCOPs (Batch 2), Camp Ola, Legazpi City
• Tour Guiding Techniques, Masbate Province
• Mabuhay Hosts, Masbate Province
• Tourist Handling, Masbate City
• Tour Guiding Techniques, Monreal, Masbate
• Mabuhay Hosts, Monreal, Masbate
• Homestay Program, Monreal, Masbate
• Tour Guiding Techniques, Virac, Catanduanes
• Mabuhay Hosts, Virac, Catanduanes
• Friendly Tricycle Driver Seminar, Legazpi City
• Passenger and Tourist Handling Seminar for Sta. Clara Ferry Crew and
Ground Personnel, Masbate City
• Lifeguard Training Course
• Tourism Strategic Planning Seminar, Pilar, Sorsogon – September 16-17, 2006
• Tourism Planning Workshop, Virac, Catanduanes
• Tour Guiding Seminar, Masbate Province, November 19-20, 2006
• Tourism Awareness Seminar, Sorsogon City, December 6, 2006
• Tourism Awareness Seminar, Sorsogon Province, December 7, 2006
On the accreditation functions, a total of thirty-seven (37) tourism-oriented establishments ranging from hotels (6), tourist inns (5), pension houses (3), resorts (4), restaurants (2), tour operators (6), Homestay (9), and motorlodge (1), tour guide (1), nineteen (19) of which are original applications and eighteen (18) establishments applied for renewal of accreditation for 2006.
EXECUTIVE FORUM ON SECURITY AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT: FOCUS ON TOURISM INDUSTRY
In order to generate support and attain utmost publicity/awareness from both the government and private sectors in the implementation of STOP, a Seminar-Workshop entitled “Executive Forum on Security and Disaster Management: Focus on Tourism Industry”, was conducted in Legazpi City last June 7-8, 2006, at Casablanca Hotel. The project, dubbed as STOP or Security of Tourists Operational Program, is a joint undertaking with the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP). It aims to enhance disaster management and security capabilities among tourism stakeholders and intensify vigilance of the community by conducting lectures, orientations, workshops, visual presentations, etc. The Seminar-Workshop was participated in by more than sixty (60) tourism officers, stakeholders, PNP personnel/officials, and local government officials. For this project, DOT V handled the invitation of guests and participants, selection of venue, meals and accommodation of guests. DOT V staff also acted as Secretariat to the seminar. The OUSEC-SPA took care of the program, production, event drop banners, backdrop production and giveaway items. Ms. Rowena Sorioso of DOT-OUSEC-SPA and Mr. Glenn Peralta of DOT V were the Project Officers.
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