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Joyce Balancio

ABS-CBN News

MANILA—President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday led the awarding ceremony for the 15 local government units that have been granted funds for their respective tourism development projects.Under the Tourism Champions Challenge (TCC), a flagship project of Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, LGUs were encouraged to submit proposals for specific projects that they wanted to construct in their localities.Out of the 90 project proposals from 98 LGUs, only 15 had been picked after going through the selection process by the Department of Tourism Regional Offices and the TCC Committee.These are the following:1ST PLACE with P20 million project grant: *Ambaguio Skyport in Ambaguio,Nueva Vizcaya *Enchanted Ilijan Plug of Tubigon in Tubigon Bohol *Lampinigan SANDS in Isabela City, Basilan 2ND PLACE with P15 million project grant: *Mangrove Forest Park Development in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro *Badian Toong Spring Nature Park in Badian, Cebu *Cultural peace hub for Indigenous and Bangsa Communities in Davao City3RD PLACE with P10 million project grant: *Silaki Island Community Based Tourism Project in Bolinao Pangasinan *Silago Ridge to Reed Eco-Experience Project in Silago, Southern Leyte *Mangrove Boardwalk and Gallery in Island Garden City of Samal, Davao Del Norte.4TH PLACE with P8 million project grant: *Eco-Tourism Park in San Jose, Romblon*Gawahon, A Birder’s Paradise in Victorias City, Negros Occidental *Heritage Tourism Circuit in Tagum City, Davao Del Norte5TH PLACE with P7 million project grant: *Naujan Lake Wetland Center in Socorro, Oriental Mindoro *Panay Coastal Resource Experience Project in Panay, Capiz *Tourism Catwalk at Gata to Bretania Mangrove Areas in San Agustin, Surigao Del Sur.<div> </div>Aside from these cash grants, President Marcos also announced that his office will provide an additional P5 million to each of the 15 LGUs.In his speech, Pres. Marcos congratulated the Department of Tourism for spearheading a program that elicits creativity among LGUs.“It is also heartwarming to note that these are not mere proposals anymore, but they are existing projects of proven value and that have already shown unqualified success,” Marcos said.“This is the way tourism should be developed in our view, like economic growth, not relying on trickle-down, but built from the ground up,” he added.He said that his government continues to implement tourism projects so that the country can meet the demand of the “great travel resurgence”.These include modernizing various airports, upgrading seaports and paving more roads to tourism spots.“We are investing in the upskilling of our human resource that is the lynchpin of any hospitality business,” the President said.“And when our friendliness is matched with our fabulous sites, it is the perfect combination, it is hard to beat, we are world class,” he added.The President stressed that while many travelers have made good reviews on the country’s tourism industry, the government should “not be complacent.”More tourism facilities and infrastructure must be added, and marketing drive and training in the sector should be stepped up, he added.“We must work harder to make our country stand out amidst a very competitive market,” he said. “We have to open up more tourism areas so we can have a diversified and a dynamic portfolio that can drive up interest before a wider clientele,” the President also said.For her part, Tourism Sec. Frasco highlighted that in 2023, the country recorded  5.45 million international tourists, generating an estimated P482.54 billion in visitor receipts.She added that the tourism sector continues to be a major economic driver, contributing 6.2 percent to the GDP with approximately P1.87 trillion in tourism receipts in 2022.“As we move forward, the collaboration between the national government, local governments, and private stakeholders is crucial,” Frasco said.“Together, we can advance a tourism industry that is not only profitable but also sustainable, inclusive, and resilient. Let us join hands to ensure that the future of Philippine tourism is as bright as the smiles of our people,” she added.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Monday led the awarding ceremony for the 15 local government units that have been granted funds for their respective tourism development projects.

Pr esident Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Monday led the awarding ceremony for the 15 local government units that have been granted funds for their respective tourism development projects.

15 LGUs to jumpstart tourism projects through fund grants

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15 LGUs to jumpstart tourism projects through fund grants

Joyce Balancio,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 15, 2024 09:06 PM PHT

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Updated April 15, 2024 09:51 PM PHT

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Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

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