TUBIGON’s entry “Bohol’s Enchanted Ilijan Plug of Tubigon” to the Tourism Champions Challenge (TCC) 1st place and received from President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. a check worth P20 million for projects during a program last week.
The Enchanted Ilijan Plug of Tubigon is identified as the country’s first volcanic plug. The project holds significant tourism potential by establishing infrastructure to improve the socio-economic condition and well-being of the Tubigon communities, according to the report earlier of Bohol Tourism Office.
The 2nd place went to Badian, Cebu’s Toong Spring Nature Park, which received P15 million. Its entry “Badian weaves the integration of conservation, sustainable tourism, and community engagement. The project aims to contribute to the protection of ecosystems, empower local communities actively engaged in ecotourism, and promote sustainable development practices in Badian.”
Silago, Southern Leyte’s entry “Silago Ridge to Reef Eco-Experience Project (SIRREEP): Promoting Sustainability through Eco-Heritage Tourism, third place with P10 million prize.
Silago’s ridge-to-reef eco experience project aims to promote sustainable tourism, protect natural heritage, and stimulate economic growth by establishing an eco-heritage museum to preserve the largest sperm whale skeleton in the country.
Victorias City, Negros Occidental’s Gawahon, A Birder’s Paradise Haven for Sustainable and Inclusive Eco-Tourism settled for 4th place with P8 million prize. “Victorias City’s Gawahon Ecopark is an ecotourism paradise envisioned to be a haven for nature enthusiasts. Through environmental conservation and community development, Gawahon is set to be a model for sustainable tourism, a sanctuary for endangered species, and a source of prosperity for the community.”
And 5th place is Capiz’ Panay: A Coastal Resource Experience with P7 million. “The Panay Coastal Resource Experience Project intends to develop Panay’s mangrove forest with nature-inspired cottages and breathtaking views. It aims to stimulate livelihood opportunities, regenerate mangrove populations, and seek social equity for future generations.”
Winners in Luzon and Mindanao received the same amount of prizes, the report said.
The Philstar reported that “Their proposals were reviewed by the TCC Committee, chaired by Frasco, with Undersecretary Shahlimar Hofer Tamano and TIEZA Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid as vice chairs, and other DOT officials as members.”
The judges invited included Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Benjamin Abalos Jr. represented by Assistant Secretary Lilian De Leon, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga represented by Regional Director Ma. Victoria Abrera, and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Vice President for Trade Mission and director of the Environment and Climate Change, Infrastructure, and Construction Committee Felino Palafox Jr., with PricewaterhouseCoopers as knowledge partner.
“Pursuant to our President’s vision for our nation, the Tourism Champions Challenge was launched and designed to unleash the potential of cities and municipalities across the Philippines, by inviting them to propose innovative tourism infrastructure projects that aim to foster sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience in tourism development, enhancing our local destinations and communities and most importantly, providing added economic opportunity for our communities nationwide,” Frasco said.
She explained that the flagship program seeks to empower LGUs and allow them to conceptualize and develop projects that “create new tourism opportunities, create accessibility and showcase our unique Filipino heritage,” the Tourism secretary said in the report. (rvo)
