BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental and four of its local government units bagged numerous national awards during the 23rd Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) Pearl Awards held on October 27 in Tagaytay City, which was held in line with the ATOP national convention.
ATOP records showed that Negros Occidental bested other provinces to win the award for Best Tourism Promotion Publication.
Additionally, the “Halin sa Kusina-Food Stories from the People of Negros Occidental” book was the featured publication.
Sagay City was named grand winner for Best Practices on Community-Based Responsible Tourism for its Eco-Tourism Enterprise Initiative at the Sagay Marine Reserve, 1st in Eco-Tourism Loop; 1st runner-up in the Best Tourism Promotion (brochure) and 2nd runner-up for the Best Program for Culture and the Arts for Syano Artlink and Sagay City Arts Month celebration.
On the other hand, Sipalay City was also named grand winner (City Category) for the Best Tourism Month Celebration; first runner-up for Best Tourism Souvenir (food category) and second runner-up for Best Tourism Souvenir (non-food category) for its Paglaum Wood Token.
Silay City also won 2nd runner-up for the Best Tourism Event (Festival) featuring The Legend of Kansilay: A Festival on Animism.*
