DOT and DILG join forces for local tourism development (August 20, 2015)

Posted on

Some 71 regional directors and technical staff from the regional offices of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and central and regional offices of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) gathered for the “Planning Workshop for the Roll-Out of the Tourism Guidebook for Local Government Units” at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria on July 9-10, 2015.

 

DOT Undersecretary Benito C. Bengzon, Jr. addresses the participants at the opening program of the “Planning Workshop for the Roll-Out of the Tourism Guidebook for Local Government Units” at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria on July 09, 2015.
DOT Undersecretary Benito C. Bengzon, Jr. addresses the participants at the opening program of the “Planning Workshop for the Roll-Out of the Tourism Guidebook for Local Government Units” at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria on July 09, 2015.

Tourism Undersecretary Benito  C. Bengzon, Jr., in  his  opening  remarks,  underscored  the importance of empowering LGUs in developing their local  tourism   development   plans   (TDPs)  because  tourism, which  provides   livelihood opportunities, is now being recognized as engine for growth. He     also  mentioned  that  with the Philippines’  upgraded  road  networks  and  increased number of hotels  and  resorts, tour  guides, spas, and  shopping  areas, more  foreign visitors are expected to visit the country in the next few years.

 

Meanwhile, Assistant  Director  Dennis  Villaseñor, who  delivered    a   message   on   behalf   of   DILG,  expressed   his   department’s commitment to provide support and assistance to ensure tourism safety and security.

 

DILG– Bureau of Local Government Development Assistant Director Dennis Villase?or delivers a message for DILG Assistant Secretary Josefina Castilla-Go at the joint planning workshop for DOT and DILG.
DILG– Bureau of Local Government Development Assistant Director Dennis Villase?or delivers a message for DILG Assistant Secretary Josefina Castilla-Go at the joint planning workshop for DOT and DILG.

During  the   workshop, DOT   and   DILG  participants  formulated  their  respective  work  programs  indicating  relevant technical assistance and resource-sharing agreements to facilitate the drafting/updating of TDPs of identified LGUs.

 

The  workshop  was  conducted  by  the  Development  Academy   of  the  Philippines’  Center  for  Governance   (DAP-CFG)   through  its  Local  Governance    and   Development   Office  (LGDO), in  partnership   with   DOT,  DILG   and   the   Local  Governance  Support  Program for Local Economic Development (LGSP-LED).  (MDResuello)