Samar gov’t steps up partnerships in local tourism program

BASEY, Samar, March 4 (PNA) -- The provincial government here has forged ties with various sectors to enhance its local tourism program, dubbed as the Spark Samar Development Agenda.

Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan-de los Santos said government agencies, the academe and other entities have individual programs for the people that should be harmonized.

“We need partnership to identify the programs tailor-fit for the needs of our constituents and promote the Spark Samar Development Program,” the official said. “At the end of the day, it is always the welfare of our people that is our goal.”

The local government signed on Friday a memorandum of understanding among the Samar Fellowship Circle entities at the Sohoton Visitors Center and Ecolodge in Guirang Village, this town.

“The collaboration aims to empower the people of the province of Samar through ecotourism and enterprise creation and development,” de los Santos said.

Director of the regional tourism office, Karina Rosa Tiopes, said that as stakeholders, "we should create a circle of friends among the government agencies and the academe".

“This is a milestone in the region. The signing is a good beginning because we share the same vision, walk the same path with Samar province. The enthusiasm to sign the deal should be the same enthusiasm to do the work in detail on even higher grounds. 

We identify the right programs and identify the gaps to address the challenges,” Tiopes said.

Corazon Makabenta of the Development Management Office of the regional environment office meanwhile said the agency supports the Spark Samar Development Agenda as it will strengthen their mandate in the protection and preservation of the environment. It ensures the integrity and sustainability of the environment and the natural resources, she said.

“This is the first community-driven tourism program in the country that prioritized and enhanced livelihood of members of the people’s organizations. Our poverty incidence in Samar is highest at 46 percent. We hope to decrease it every year until the inclusive growth is achieved,” de los Santos said.

Other partner agencies are the departments of social welfare, agriculture, trade, and science and technology, state universities and colleges, and the Philippine Army. (PNA)
CVL/SQM/VICKY C. ARNAIZ/EGR