THE Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Bohol approved on second reading the Bohol Sustainable Tourism Development Code of 2025 that fortifies the Boholano First Policy, according to Board Member Atty. Jiselle Rae A. Villamor, the main author and sponsor of said measure that for long years has been left in limbo.
The author pointed out that “the enactment of the Bohol Sustainable Tourism Development Code of 2025 is necessary to institutionalize a comprehensive policy framework that harmonizes environmental protection, heritage conservation, Geopark principles, community empowerment, inclusive and sustainable economic development for the benefit of present and future generations.”
Villamor said that the Code covers or shall apply to all tourism-related activities, programs, projects, establishments, operators, services, destinations, and tourism development areas within the Province of Bohol, under section 4 on Scope and Coverage.
Under Section 18, it provides that the Provincial Government of Bohol shall promote the participation and prioritization of Boholanos in all tourism-related programs, projects, and activities within the province.
In prioritizing the Boholanos, the author means to give qualified Boholanos in employment, training and other related programs; and all tourism-related activities conducted within the Province of Bohol shall give primary preference to duly-accredited Bohol-based tour-operators, travel agencies, and tour guides in the conduct of tours, excursions, and other organized tourism services.
Under the same provision, tourism stakeholders/businessmen are encouraged to patronize products, materials, and services from Boholano-owned enterprises, cooperatives and community-based producers whenever practicable.
It also mandates the Provincial Tourism Office, in coordination with the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), to establish and maintain a Boholano Tourism Employment and Enterprise Database to facilitate the hiring and engagement of local workers and suppliers.
The Ordinance under Section 19 provides that all tourism establishments and facilities within the Province of Bohol are encouraged to grant discounted rates or special privileges to bona fide Boholano residents for tourism-related sites, services, and activities.
It said that a Boholano resident refers to a person who is a native or bona fide resident of any city or municipality within the Province of Bohol, as evidenced by a valid government-issued identification card showing a Bohol address or a certification from the concerned local government unit.
Those tourism establishments carrying out the Boholano First Policy and Boholano Resident Privilege programs may be given recognition or incentives by the Provincial Government.
One of the salient points of the Code is that the province can generate revenues for sustainable development operations of tourism infrastructure, preservation of cultural heritage, support for community-based enterprises, protection of the environment and promotion of responsible and sustainable tourism practices under section 13.
Section 14 hereof provides for the Provincial Government of Bohol, through the Provincial Treasurer’s Office, may collect fair and reasonable tourism fees from visitors, tourists, and tourism related activities within the territorial jurisdiction of the province.
All tourism-generated revenues collected annually by the Provincial Government of Bohol shall accrue to the Provincial General Fund, subject to the following allocations: Fifty percent (50%) shall be known as the Tourism Development Fund and shall be used to fund tourism-related programs and activities of the Provincial Government of Bohol; and Twenty percent (20%) shall be allocated exclusively to support island barangays development projects and programs.
Provincial Board Members Atty. Tomas D. Abapo, Jr., Nathaniel O. Binlod, Dr. Romulo Cepedoza and Lucille Y. Lagunay stand as co-sponsors of the Code. (Ric Obedencio)
