ZAMBOANGA CITY, June 1 (PIA) -- The Santa Cruz People's Organization in Zamboanga City received Php200,000.00 worth of community-based tourism organization livelihood assistance from Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco on Wednesday.

Frasco believes that the employment opportunities and revenue generation at the local level can increase tourism experience, enhance natural resources, protect them and the women, the persons with disabilities, senior citizens and youth are empowered to participate in local tourism integrities.

Taup expressed delight to the assistance they received, confirming how the provision will help them and their community in the services they give out to the tourists. As a response, being the representative of the organization, he committed to manage well the environment so that it can be enjoyed by the locals and tourists.

“Kahit napupuno po tayo ng turista, di po tayo nakaka-violate sa protocol ng protected area,” Taup said. (Even if we are filled with tourists, we are not violating the protocol of the protected area.)

Secretary Frasco praised the efforts made by the local tourism because of how they make sure that the sustainable tourism provides livelihood to their communities and how it strikes a balance between promoting the beautiful islands in the region as well as preserving it for future generations. DOT affirms the support of the national government to the local tourism.

The DOT Secretary hoped that through the project, tourism destinations and its tourism offerings in ZamPen will grow even more knowing that additional boats can surely cater to the multitude of tourists that are now visiting the island.

Frasco also acknowledged the tour guides as she gifted them with kits containing some hat, bamboo sun glasses, bamboo tumbler, notebook, Belo sunscreen, and lapel.

“Para din sa ating tour guides, napaka importante ng trabaho niyo kasi sa pamamagitan ng tour guiding, nabibigyan natin ng story yung ating mga tourist destinations. Our tour guides tell the Filipino story and that is why we are also here to give our assistance to our tour guides, by giving you the things that you may need in order to do your job as efficiently and creatively as possible,” Sec. Frasco said. (Your work is very important because through tour guiding, we can give a story to our tourist destinations.)

For its part, the DND will sustain the current peace and security programs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) by providing evaluation and recommendations in the prospective areas for tourism development.

The DILG, on the other hand, will sustain programs to ensure peace and order in tourist destinations by deploying tourism police personnel and coordinating with LGUs to train police auxiliary forces for tourist security.

In his address, DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos stressed how misimpression of Mindanao affected the region for years as far as tourism is concerned, especially Zamboanga City.  Abalos noted that while the devastating 2013 Zamboanga Siege has greatly affected local tourism in the area, the situation is now far different.

“For the last six years, records will show zero cases of bombings here in Zamboanga City, zero cases of kidnappings here in Zamboanga City,” the Interior Secretary said, adding that Zamboanga City Police was also chosen as the best police station in the entire country.

Under the MOA, DOT shall be responsible for the development of tourism circuits, provide tourism product development to emerging destinations as well as the provision of training intervention programs and livelihood assistance to tourism communities and workers.

“Thank you so much for all of your support, thank you for all of your hard work, thank you for continuing to inspire us that the future of the Philippines lies in the hard work, the sacrifices, and the service of our tourism frontliners, and tourism communities,” Sec. Frasco said. (RVC/CCP/PIA9)