Cebu tourism players counter DOT chief's pronouncement

CEBU, Philippines – Despite Cebu's resilience to the overall movement of the economy, Cebu tourism stakeholders have countered the earlier pronouncement made by DOT secretary Alberto Lim that Cebu can stand on its own, stressing that "any private sector needs government support."

Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) chairperson for committee on tourism Milagros Espina said that the national government should not make Cebu as the least of its priorities in terms of developmental projects and promotions.

"Any private sector endeavor needs the support of the government especially tourism. There are concerns like budget, infrastructure, services and facilities that the government must address. After all Cebu is a top contributor to the national economy," Espina said.

Espina further said that although the private sector in Cebu is dynamic and has a full grasp of its role in sustaining the leadership of Cebu as the number one tourism destination in the Philippines, it still has to anchor its programs with the government.

Tourism advocate Jay Aldeguer said if Cebu will be left alone, it cannot achieve its purpose of even sustaining its top position in the tourism industry. Government should also sincerely express its interest to help and support any programs that will be initiated by the Cebu private sector.

"Cebuanos will commit to make Cebu as a world-class product-but we need your help," Aldeguer said.

The National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (Naitas-Cebu) chairperson Jenny Franco said that DOT should have already announced the appointment of regional director, so that the private sector can already start its partnership with the DOT regional office here.

Cebu being the center for tourism in the Philippines should showcase the best of the best in the country. The appointment of a regional director, after former DOT-7 regional director Patria Aurora Roa retired from her 17 years of service in the Central Visayas tourism office, should be one of the DOT head office's top priority.

According Franco, the industry stakeholders hope that Lim will be able to appoint a competent head for the regional office.

In an interview with Lim on the appointment of new regional director in DOT here, he said that applications for the post are still being reviewed and studied. But, he expressed confidence that the DOT-7 officer-in-charge Rowena Montecillo is capable of leading the regional office, considering her experience in the industry. (FREEMAN)