KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) launched Friday, May 19, its Bisita. Be My Guest (BBMG) Program in SOCCSKSARGEN Region.
This is the first time that the DOT rolled out the BBMG Program, a tourism incentive program, outside of the National Capital Region.
Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Governor Datu Pax Ali S. Mangudadatu led the regional kick off at the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Capitol.
“We have come here today as well to launch our President's program to encourage our fellow Filipinos to become tourism ambassadors for the Philippines, whether you are an overseas Filipino worker or Filipino living in the country. We are launching a program that gives you incentives if you invite a foreign friend, guest or spouse into our country," Secretary Frasco said.
Under the BBMG Program, OFWs, Filipinos living abroad, or Filipinos living in the Philippines can register as a guest sponsor, invite friends and colleagues to visit the Philippines, and earn incentives.
Incentives offered include raffle tickets where major prizes such as condominium units, house and lot, holiday packages, and airline tickets. BBMG also offers travel passport that sponsors and invitees can use to claim freebies in airports and participating tourism destinations as well as privilege cards to avail of discounts from enrolled shops, hotels, restaurants, and tourism-related establishments.
To register, visit https://bbmg.philippines travel.
Meanwhile, Sultan Kudarat Governor Datu Pax Ali S. Mangudadatu welcomes the launching of the BBMG Program in SOCCSKSARGEN Region as an opportunity to highlight the province’s and the region’s potentials as a destination, especially among foreigh visitors.
“Ito po ay isang karangalan sa buong SOCCSKSARGEN dahil ito ay nagpapahiwatig na bukas na ang ating mga borders. Bukas rin po ang ating mga puso at ating mga kamay upang tanggapin ang iba't ibang mga dayuhan at iba't ibang mga kaibigan na bibisita upang makita ang ganda ng ating lugar, ang ganda ng ating kultura, at higit sa lahat ang ganda ng ating samahan,” Gov. Mangudadatu said.
The governor also promised full support to the tourism initiatives of the Marcos administration.
"Because we are the first province to be given the opportunity to have the Bisita, Be My Guest Program, it is our commitment to the Department of Tourism and to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sa lahat ng kanilang programa pagdating sa turismo.
“Tayong lahat po 100 percent nasa likod nila. One hundred percent ang ating ibibigay upang ipakita natin sa lahat na ang Sultan Kudarat at buong SOCCSKSARGEN is not only one of those optional places; ang dream po natin isa rin po tayo sa primary places,” he said.
With Secretary Frasco were Usec. Shalimar Hofer Tamano, Usec. Verna Buensucesco, Tourism Promotions Board COO Margarita Nograles, and DOT 12 officials, led by Regional Director Nelia Arina. (PIA SOCCKSARGEN)
