• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
As part of its 50th anniversary, the Department of Tourism (DOT) yesterday honored its outstanding partners for the many years of “sincere support & services to the development of the tourism industry,” in Western Visayas.
Among those recognized by DOT were Campuestohan Highland Resort in Talisay City and Sipaway Island in San Carlos City, all in Negros Occidental, for being among the top tourist destination sites in Region 6.
The Pagdayaw 2023 awarding rites of DOT Western Visayas was held in recognition of the best tourism practices of various tourist destinations in the region that also created a positive impact to the tourism industry.
The city governments of Sagay and San Carlos City government, led by their respective mayors, Narciso Javelosa Jr. and Renato Gustilo, also received plaques of appreciation for invaluable support extended to DOT in their campaign for accreditation of tourism establishments in the region.
Gustilo said DOT Region 6 recognized San Carlos City for its best tourism practices during the Pagdayaw 2023 in Iloilo City.
Our invaluable efforts to boost our tourism has created a positive impact to the community and brought a sustainable economy, he added.
Javelosa thanked the DOT for the recognition and paying tribute to the stakeholders for their active partnerships and collaborations.
Vice Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva said that they will continue to pursue community-based eco-tourism program initiatives to provide inclusive economic opportunities for them while they actively participate in bio-diversity conservation as we remain true to our guiding principle “tourism enriches, protects and help build communities.”
Councilor Arthur Christopher Maranon, who chairs the Tourism and Environment committee of the Sagay City Council, said the City will continue to lay down sustainable tourism development programs by creating more eco-tourism loops that will help generate more income for Sagaynons.
On the other hand, Ralph Richard “Siote” Tan, son of Campuestohan founders Ricardo “Cano” Tan and his wife, Nita, received the award in behalf of his parents, from DOT regional director Crisanta Marlene Rodriguez during the awarding rites held in Iloilo.*
