Iloilo-Guimaras tourism plan seen to boost reg’l economy
The Metro Iloilo-Guimaras Economic Development Council (MIGEDC) is keen on implementing its tourism master plan to boost economic activities in Western Visayas.
Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, chairman of MIGEDC, said council members should take an active role in implementing the tourism master plan in their respective areas by next year.
The tourism master plan is intended to improve the economic programs and projects in the region, including infrastructures, roads and bridges, as well as promote tourism sites, culture and create livelihood.
Mabilog said the tourism master plan will make it easier for its members to improve its existing tourism programs and projects since it provides direction and guidelines.
It was developed to unify the efforts of its members in selling their towns as one, he added.
Mabilog also said the mayors of the towns who are members of MIGEDC should always include the other members in all their tourism promotions and advertising pitches wherever they go.
The tourism master plan for Iloilo and Guimaras was created by former Tourism Secretary Narzalina Lim.
MIGEDC members include the towns of Pavia, Oton, Leganes, Santa Barbara and San Miguel in Iloilo, as well as the towns of Jordan, Buenavista, Nueva Valencia, San Lorenzo and Sibunag in the neighboring island-province of Guimaras and Iloilo City.
Under the tourism master plan, Guimaras is agri-eco-tourism center while Pavia is the agro-industrial center.
The town of Leganes is the center for light industries, San Miguel as the agricultural basket, and Oton as the dormitory and gateway to the southern part of Iloilo.
The town of Sta. Barbara is the international air travel gateway of the province.
Meanwhile, Iloilo City is the commercial, governance and educational center.
It will also serve as gateway for Guimaras Island and member municipalities.*PNA
