By Bernard Ver
Contributor
Laoag City—After finishing as runners-up in the last two years, the Ilocos Norte government finally won the “Pearl Award” as the best tourism-oriented province in the Philippines.
The Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) held the awarding ceremonies on October 5, 2018 in Cagayan de Oro City.
The search recognizes exceptional practices, projects and innovations in every local government’s tourism office in the Philippines as well as the men and women behind this great contribution in creative works and exceptional services and its cause.
After the two runners-up finishes, Ilocos Norte tourism officer Aian B. Raquel said felt challenged, which he said made them work harder and the result was satisfying.
“Since we started, we have accomplished the fundamental requirements for a well-functioning LGU in terms of tourism. We have legislations such as tourism code, investment code, cultural code, and environmental code, and we have established permanent positions for local tourism officers,” said Mr. Raquel, provincial tourism officer and head of the Ilocos Norte Tourism Office (INTO)
“It’s important that the executives have significant accomplishments in terms of administration and legislation,” he added.
“We almost quit sending an application for the award but thanks to the hard work of my colleagues at PGIN [Ilocos Norte provincial government] and the help of many friends, we finally made it! And yes finally, after all these years of fighting tooth and nail, blood, sweat, and tears, it feels great to be recognized by the tourism sector, especially by the hundreds of tourism officers in the country- the real backbone of the tourism industry,” Mr. Raquel posted on social media after the win.
Mr. Raquel also recognized the effort of Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos and the provincial government for their “unending support since the beginning of their presentation”.
For years, the province has been keen on implementing strategies for the protection and conservation of cultural properties, including the establishment of new venues and platforms for local artists, and promotion of the province's cultural sites, products, and events.
Finalists include the province of Samar and province of Davao del Norte, which won third and second place, respectively.
IN’s pioneer tourism programs
In particular, Pearl Awards’ screening committee commended the INTO’s Summer Tourism Program. The program immerses both the young and elderly as tour guides in different museums and churches in the province.
“This is the first effort in the country, specifically in the tourism sector, that employs senior citizens as tour guides in museums and churches. This is very special because it shows that our provincial policy on inclusivity is applied in that we employ very diverse demographics—from youth to senior citizens,” Mr. Raquel said.
“Also, they [the committee] commended the fact that we were able to earn direct tourism revenues from out properties; data shows we were able to earn more than what we are spending in the INTO.”
Fees and rentals of government-owned tourist destinations such as the Kapurpurawan rock formation, Malacañang of the North, Paseo de Paoay, La Tabacalera Lifestyle Center, Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, and the Ilocano Heroes Hall all contribute to provincial revenue
Moreover, ATOP-DOT cited theMedia Incentives Desk (MID), an initiative of Ms. Marcos. MID pioneered film tourism in the province through an exchange of benefits and promotion coordinated among LGUs, private establishments, and production companies looking to film within Ilocos Norte.
Last year, Artikulo Uno Productions, the maker of historical epic “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral” filmed in the different municipalities of the province. Also, television series "Bagani," and several local and international travel magazine shows; cult classics “Himala,” “Ang Panday,” and “Temptation Island” have also used Ilocos Norte as a shoot location over the years.
Final screening of contingents was held on September 22. Ilocos Norte was represented by INTO, city and municipal tourism officers, the youth sector coming from the Ilocos Norte Youth Development Office (INYDO), and other local tourism stakeholders. (With a report fromEdison Justin B. Deus)