City hosts meet on AusAID LGDP-backed tourism strategies, infra plans
A comprehensive integrated tourism strategy and action plan for Metro Iloilo-Guimaras alongside a detailed integrated infrastructure plan was unveiled yesterday.
This, as key players in the industry gathered for the 1st Stakeholders Meeting and Workshop on Implementation Plans for Metro Iloilo-Guimaras Tourism Strategy and Action Plan and Metro Iloilo-Guimaras Integrated Infrastructure Plan.
"Integration" was to be the keyword in both projects realized under the Australian Government AusAID initiative, Philippines-Australia Local Governance Development Project (LGDP).
For Partnership Adviser Francis Gentoral, yesterday's stakeholders' meeting jumpstart tourism and infrastructure plans coordination for Metro Iloilo and Guimaras that will enhance development efforts not only for the region but for the entire country.
"This is basically done in order to improve local economic development by strengthening and improving the effectiveness of local government unit-partnership structures and systems," Gentoral said. "The workshop got us closer and a step higher on our ultimate goal to have tourism strategies in place for Metro Iloilo and Guimaras, to have infrastructure plans identified and firmed up for Metro Iloilo and Guimaras. These will bring the right development for Western Visayas region and the country."
"Understanding the region" kicked off the day's discussions that got the stakeholders to address questions raised on strategic investments for the city and other local government units involved. Such alongside potential private sector investments in the forthcoming years.
Stakeholders include project support teams earlier formed that involved key local officials of Iloilo City, Metro Iloilo towns of Oton, Pavia, Sta. Barbara, San Miguel and Leganes and the Province of Guimaras alongside regional directors of concerned national Philippine government agencies. These Ilonggo officials have counterparts in project partners from the Australian Government, foreign project consultants and representatives from various tourism and infrastructure sectors in Metro Iloilo and Guimaras.