DOT awards winners of Tourism Champions Challenge

By SUNDY LOCUS, GMA Integrated News Published April 15, 2024 8:00pm Three local government units (LGUs) will each receive P25 million in funding to support their winning proposed projects as part of a challenge initiated by the Department of Tourism (DOT). In a ceremony held in Pasay City on Monday, DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco […]

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DOT awards winners of Tourism Champions Challenge

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By SUNDY LOCUS, GMA Integrated News


Three local government units (LGUs) will each receive P25 million in funding to support their winning proposed projects as part of a challenge initiated by the Department of Tourism (DOT).

In a ceremony held in Pasay City on Monday, DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco announced the 15 winners of the Tourism Champions Challenge (TCC) are:

First Place:

  • Local Paragliding Airport Terminal (Ambaguio, Nueva Vizcaya)
  • Volcanic Plug (Tubigon, Bohol)
  • Lampinigan Jetty Port and Leisure Development Project (Isabela City, Basilan)

Second Place:

  • Mangrove Forest Park Development Project (Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro)
  • Badian Toong Spring Nature Park (Badian, Cebu)
  • Cultural Peace Hub (Davao City)

Third Place:

  • Community-based Project in Sikali Island (Bolinao, Pangasinan)
  • Ridge-to-reef Eco-experience Project (Silago, Southern Leyte)
  • Mangrove Boardwalk Gallery (Samal, Davao del Norte)

Fourth place:

  • Eco-tourism Park (San Jose, Romblon)
  • Gawahon Ecopark (Victorias City, Negros Occidental)
  • Heritage Tourism Circuit (Tagum City, Davao del Norte)

Fifth place:

  • Naujan Lake Wetland Center (Socorro, Oriental Mindoro)
  • Coastal Resource Experience (Panay, Capiz)
  • Tourist Catwalk  (San Agustin, Surigao del Sur)

Launched in April 2023, Frasco said the P180-million TCC was “designed to unleash the potential of cities and municipalities by inviting them to propose innovative tourism infrastructure projects that aim to foster sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience in tourism development, enhancing our local destinations and communities and most importantly, providing added economic opportunity for our communities nationwide”.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., for his part, congratulated the DOT for the completion of the tourism challenge and announced an additional P5 million funding for the winning projects.

“With this bearing in mind, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority approved the grant of an additional P5 million for each winner…We are doing this because it is a very, very, good policy,” said Marcos Jr.

“It is also reaffirmation of my belief that LGUs are indispensable and active partners in national development. Be assured that we will match your industry, equal your dedication, and complement your work. The national government will build more infrastructures, implement more tourism-friendly policies, and arouse interest from global audience,” he added.

The TCC Champions will each receive P25 million from the initial prize of P20 million. LGUs that ranked second will be provided with P20 million; third-placers, P15 million; 4th placers, P13 million; and 5th placers, P12 million.—RF, GMA Integrated News

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