Iloilo City, Guimaras to forge alliance for tourism development

A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) will be signed between Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas and Guimaras Governor Rahman Nava on May 22 nd primarily to create strategies for the Visit Iloilo-Guimaras tourism program.

According to Treñas, the alliance will be called the Guimaras-Iloilo City Alliance (GICA) and was conceptualized to help improve the economic competitiveness of the two places through joint undertakings in investment promotion, tourism development and planning and coordination of infrastructure support services.

GICA is composed of Treñas and Nava, while its advisory board will include representatives from the different national agencies and the academe who will act as consulting body to provide technical and information assistance.

Treñas said the alliance will conduct joint planning and coordination of economic and infrastructure service and projects and develop, share and implement common economic and infrastructure resources, information, tools and methodologies for the common benefits.

To carry out the purpose of the agreement, an executive director will be appointed to manage and oversee the regular operations and general implementation of GICA programs and projects.

The alliance will also consult, coordinate and work closely with the National Economic and Development Authority, the Department of the Interior and Local Governments and other priority concerned agencies, and the private sector.

“We are not getting a lot of market from people who go to Boracay. Here, facilities are available. We can be a destination. Iloilo and Guimaras will be good places to stay, shop and enjoy,” Treñas concluded . (Adora B. Bandorio/PIO)