President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. and the Department of Tourism (DOT) honored the top 15 local government units (LGUs) that emerged victorious in the Tourism Champions Challenge (TCC) on April 15.
Three LGUs were awarded the grand prize of ₱20 million as a budget to fund their proposed tourism projects that will propel the Philippines into global audience recognition. The theme for the TCC is “Tourism Infrastructure for Greater Innovation and New Tourism Opportunities.”
According to Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, the program’s goal is to resolve the issue of concentrated tourism, since it has been ineffective in fulfilling the tourism sector’s full potential. Frasco also stated that DOT is committed in providing equal support nationwide, citing that the department aims to boost tourism product development and promotion.
“While mass tourism has boosted our economy, it has also brought challenges to our local sites and communities. Concentrated tourism development can lead to social, environmental, and cultural strains,” said Frasco. “Through the TCC, we are taking deliberate steps to distribute tourism growth more evenly, ensuring that every community benefits from our collective efforts.”
The program is an effort to boost the Philippines as a tourism powerhouse in Asia and is a climactic step towards fostering sustainable tourism development across the country. Its inception came to fruition last April 4 after the approval of the implementation guidelines.
The 15 Winners
According to DOT, their regional offices have been inundated with an impressive number of project proposals from 90 LGUs across the archipelago with a total number of 98 submitted tourism projects. Each proposal bore the aspirations of its respective LGU to elevate and nurture local tourism destinations, thereby enriching the cultural and economic landscape of the nation.
15 of the participating LGUs emerged victorious following rigorous evaluation by esteemed judges hailing from: the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), and the University of the Philippines – Asian Institute of Tourism (AIT).
Five tourism project proposals were pulled from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The selected participants from each of the major islands were then ranked from 1st to 5th place. The first place winners received ₱20 million; second place winners received ₱15 million; and third, fourth and fifth place winners received ₱10 million, ₱8 million and ₱7 million, respectively.
Below are the 15 winners awarded in the ceremony.
Luzon
1st Place
Ambaguio, Nueva Vizcaya for Ambaguio Skyport – The 1st Local Paragliding “Airport Terminal” in the Philippines
2nd Place
Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro for Pinagpalabg Lagusan sa Bakawan: A Mangrove Forest Park Development
3rd Place
Bolinao, Pangasinan for Legacy of the Sea Project: A Silaki Island Community-Based Tourism Project
4th Place
San Jose, Romblon for Eco-Tourism Park Socorro
5th Place
Oriental Mindoro for Naujan Lake Wetlands Center
Visayas
1st Place
Tubigon, Bohol for Enchanted Ilijan Plug of Tubigon
2nd Place
Badian, Cebu for Badian Toong Spring Nature Park
3rd Place
Silago, Southern Leyte for Silago Ridge to Reef Eco-Experience Project: Promoting Sustainability through Eco-Heritage Tourism
4th Place
Victorias City, Negros Occidental for Gawahon, A Birder’s Paradise: Haven for Sustainable and Inclusive Eco-Tourism
5th Place
Panay, Capiz for Panay: A Coastal Resource Experience
Mindanao
1st Place
Isabela City, Basilan for Lampinigan SANDS: The Lampinigan Jetty Port and Leisure Development Project
2nd Place
Davao City, Davao del Sur for Panunod: A Way of Life, Inherited Preservation of the Unwavering Legacy of Cultural and Sustainable Tourism of the Davao City
3rd Place
Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte for Mangrove Boardwalk and Gallery
4th Place
Tagum City, Davao del Norte for Truly Tagum: Advancing the Benefits of an Enriched Heritage-Tourism Circuit
5th Place
San Agustin, Surigao del Sur for Tourist Catwalk at Gata to Bretania Mangrove Areas
TCC Winners Receive 5 Million Funding Bonus
President Marcos Jr. also announced an increase in the budget allocation during the ceremony. An additional fund worth ₱5 million from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) was distributed to each TCC winner. This supplementary funding underscores the government’s steadfast resolution to empower LGUs in implementing innovative projects that will help amplify the allure of local tourist destinations to international visitors.
As the dust settles on the TCC awarding ceremony, the real work begins. LGUs must harness this influx of resources responsibly. They must also ensure that they will prioritize projects that promote environmental conservation, cultural preservation, and community empowerment. Collaboration between government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and local communities is also a key aspect that will ensure the success and sustainability of these LGUs’ tourism endeavors.
“We’re doing this because it is a very, very good policy to invest in success. So, make the most of it. Make the Philippines proud,” President Marcos Jr. said. “We assure you that we will match your industry, equal your dedication, and compliment your work. The national government will bring more infrastructure, implement tourism-friendly policies, and arouse interest from global audiences.”
References
15 LGUs win tourism champions challenge, get budget for infra projects. (n.d.). PNA. Retrieved April 17, 2024, from https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1222684
MindaNEWS. (n.d.). Isabela City wins 2024 Tourism Champions Challenge Mindanao Category. MindaNEWS. Retrieved April 17, 2024, from https://mindanews.com/top-stories/2024/04/isabela-city-wins-2024-tourism-champions-challenge-mindanao-category/
