CITY OF CALAPAN, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) – Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco led the distribution of certificates to the latest batch of individuals who completed the “Bayanihan sa Bukas na may Pag-asa sa Turismo” (BBMT) training program on October 23.  

This event marked the conclusion of the alternative livelihood training program in areas affected by the Mindoro oil spill.

DOT records show that there are 1,500 individuals from various Community-Based Sustainable Tourism Organizations (CBSTOs) in Orinetal Mindoro who have completed their respective BBMT training series, which involved trainings for Farm Tourism: Urban Farming; Tourism Micro Retail: Beadwork and Lei-Making; Food Tourism: Kulinarya Training; Health and Wellness Tourism: Hilot Training; and Basic Haircutting Training. 

Through these training and livelihood interventions, affected individuals will be equipped with new skills and knowledge, which in turn will make them more employable in different sectors, diversifying their income sources and reducing their dependence on the tourism sector.

In her speech, Secretary Frascounderscored the importance of having a diversified livelihood to negate the impacts of unforeseen events such as natural disasters and pandemic.

She added that the resiliency and determination of people are what drive them to do their best to help them through this ordeal. She also assured  that DOT will continuously work hand-in-hand with the provincial government to hasten the recovery process.

Aside from the distribution of training certificates, a total of 132 start-up kits for beadwork and lei-making training were also awarded to the City of Calapan and the Municipality of San Teodoro to augment the livelihood of the CBSTOs.

In addition, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Oriental Mindoro Provincial Office distributed remittance codes through the Tulong PanghanapBuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program to 154 beneficiaries from the Municipality of Gloria, each amounting to P3,550.

Jasmine V. Quirubin, representative of Gloria’s CBSTOs and President of the Malubay-Eco Tourism Association, expressed her heartfelt gratitude, both to the local and national government. In her speech, she recognized that the initiatives served as an opportunity for government agencies like the DOT and DOLE to demonstrate their commitment to the province's recovery and rehabilitation after the oil spill mishap.

 Their intervention showcased the importance of government support in times of crisis, underscoring the significance of environmental conservation and economic recovery in harmony. (JJGS/PIA Mimaropa - Oriental Mindoro)