ORMOC CITY, Philippines — The Department of Tourism-Region 8, represented by Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes, turned over to the Ormoc City government three checks amounting to P 4.95-million to fund product development and capacity building of identified tourist spots in the city.
Mayor Richard Gomez received the checks, with councilors Vincent Emnas and Tommy Serafica standing as witnesses.
Tiopes gave the checks while attending a recent turnover of recreational equipment and uniforms for tour guides and people's organizations operating tours at Barangay Cabingtan.
The recreational equipment included a kayak, shoes, backpacks, ropes, even first aid kits and other items that the Cabingtan Livelihood Eco Guide Association (CALEGUID) and Maglahug-Gaas-Sayahan & Kasudsuran Eco Guide (MAGASAKA) of Barangay Gaas can use in their eco-tours to Lake Janagdan, Lake Kasudsuran, and Alto Peak.
Tiopes said the money would also be used for various livelihood opportunities in Lake Danao … in the mangrove areas of Ormoc … and the city proper."
The funds came from the Bottom-Up Budgetting (BuB) from the past years, which were already reverted to the national government, but Mayor Gomez was able to retrieve it back for Ormoc. (FREEMAN)