DOT approves tourism projects in Region 12

KORONADAL CITY – Seven more tourism projects amounting to P7.3 millionkare approved for region 12 by the Department of Tourism this 2016 under the Bottom Up Budgeting.Tourism 12 Director Nelly Dillera with respective Tourism Development area Managers already started meeting with the LGU executives to assess specific areas, finalize the projects, discuss directions and gather documents necessary for the release of the fundsThe 2016 tourism BUB funds are for Cotabato City, Sto Nino, Tupi, Banga, Malapatan, Lebak and Koronadal City.The tourism development project for Cotabato City include tourism or marketing plan, front office training, product development for the Grand Mosque, rehabilitation of the old city hall, and set of promo collaterals.Sto Niño will use its funds for the further development of Bugtong Bukid, a local government operated tourism resort Lebak, in Sultan Kudarat shall develop a Mangrove Walk for its 700 hectare mangrove areas in Taguisa while Koronadal City has a skills development project that includes training on waitering and bartending, housekeeping, and product development for the b’laan Tribal Villages. sand//us-mg61.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2%5f0%5f0%5f1%5f45931193%5fACmH8QoAAQKOVsq1oA6WYIVZcrcandampm=YaDownloadandamppid=2andampfid=Inboxandampinline=1andampappid=yahoomail (DOT 12 brought to SOX accredited tourism trainer Ms. Gina Garcia as the speaker for the Homestay Training held in Kidapawan City -- Photo byAyesha Gayao)Further, funds shall also be provided for the tarsier sanctuary tourism project in Tupi, South Cotabato Database set up and Corn Village establishment for Banga, South Cotabato and the formulation of the Tourism Development Plan for the municipality of Malapatan in Sarangani.Critical to submission of proposals for the BUB are tourism plans which sets the direction of the tourism industry development in the area.As such, Dillera requested all municipalities with BUB funds to first allocate funds for tourism plans as basis of developing potential tourism sites. The provincial government of South Cotabato funded the formulation of tourism plans for all its municipalities.To date,a total of 24 tourism and site plans are already completed and are undergoing respective product development as indicated in the plan, Dillera added.In 2015, 27 tourism projects under the BUB program of the DOT 12 were approved amounting to P22.8 Million.Already completed areand production of promotional materials in Maasim Tourism promotional Collateral and capability building for tourism front liners in Glan tourism development plan in Alabel Capability building for Homestay in Makilala, North Cotabato Skills training in cave guiding in Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat Establishment of visitor’s center in Lutayan, Sultan Kudarat and production of promotional collaterals in Lake Sebu.Other 2015 BUB projects are still on going.To apply for the BUB grants, DOT requires the LGUs to submit certification of their office of the technical capacity to implement their project a seal of good housekeeping awarded by the DILG substantial progress in Public Financial Management Improvement Plan as determined by the DBM design, and program of works Sangguniang resolution authorizing local executive officer to enter MOA with DOT on BUB projects MOA between LGU and DOT and funding counterpart sourced from LGU and annual budget.These BUB projects help sustain standard and provide continuous development to the tourism sites, facilities, and key players. DOT 12 makes sure that these projects, when implemented will have a lasting multiplier effect on the stakeholders and the community. BUBs play a vital role in improving the quality of services of the tourism partners and doers, this is realized through the efforts of certain LGUs who give prioritization to the tourism capability of their area.Dillera personally oversees that these projects are appropriated to deserving recipients by engaging in their planning, inspection, and training.