The municipal government of Maribojoc, in partnership with German International (GIZ) and Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) Bohol, conducted a Tourism Stakeholders’ Summit last Wednesday at the Parola Hall in Barangay Poblacion. The town, the first to hold an activity of this kind in the province, convened more than 80 stakeholders from various sectors. The summit’s main objective was to come up with an updated Multi-sectoral Tourism Development Agenda that will incorporate the guiding principles of the National Tourism Act and aid in strengthening the relationships of development partners and stakeholders. Summit participants were composed of representatives from the business sector giving accommodation, food, transportation, tours and ticketing services, among others. Chairpersons of the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) and barangay committees on tourism also gave their inputs on the different issues and concerns affecting the town’s tourism industry. Also in attendance were representatives of People’s Organizations, the Local Government Unit, members of the Municipal Eco-Heritage Tourism, Culture & Arts (MEHTCA) Council and those from the academe.

A ribbon cutting ceremony of the Tourism Summit Photo Gallery officially started the activity with Ms. Miriam Bacalso of GIZ and Bohol Tourism Officer Josephine Cabarrus, assisted by Mayor Leoncio B. Evasco, Jr., PROCESS Bohol Executive Director Emilia Roslinda and Municipal Councilor and SB Committee on Tourism Chair Andresa ‘Lalai’ E. Pohl. The photo exhibit presented the attractions of the town’s 22 barangays as well as their emerging sites. An opening program followed afterwards with Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator (MPDC) Maria Nenita Reyes-Chiu as emcee. SB Legal Researcher Pablo Baluma gave the Invocation while MPDC staff Ma. Antoniette C. Baron led the singing of the hymns. After the introduction of the participants, Mayor Evasco gave the welcome message. Evasco shared that all stakeholders should recognize what role Maribojoc should play in the development of tourism. Evasco said “it should be the People’s Organizations which are at stake at developing our tourism destinations and I am giving my 100% support in initiatives that will help tourism.”

MPDC Chiu discussed the Local and Regional Economic Development (LRED) process of Maribojoc while Ms. Cabarrus presented the important provisions of the National Tourism Act of 2009 or Republic Act No. 9593. DTI Bohol Provincial Director Ma. Elena Arbon discussed the Value Chain Concept and VC Map of Maribojoc. Ms. Bacalso shared Maribojoc’s presence in the Google map assisted by Ms. Claudia Klemm and Mathias Wolter. Ms. Bacalso reiterated, “we need to coordinate all specific interventions to strengthen the “links” in the value chain.” Provincial Tourism Council chairperson lawyer Lucas Nunag shared Bohol’s Tourism Vision and Priority VC Upgrading Strategies. In the afternoon session, the summit participants were grouped according to the services they offered, namely: Accommodations & Restaurants, Destinations/Sites/Attractions, Activities/Marketing, Suppliers of Food Production/Souvenirs and Transportation. All workshop outputs were presented to the plenary and the next steps were identified. The Lincod Cultural Collective prepared a closing ritual to conclude the activity. MEHTCA Officer Mary Annie G. Jabines and MPDC Chiu coordinated with GIZ and DTI concerning the preparations of the summit. #