The Guisi Discovery Quest

The island province of Guimaras, which is the youngest and the smallest of the six provinces of Western Visayas, made headlines in August 2006 when the MT Solar I sank, causing a massive oil spill. This damaged the surrounding ecosystem and disrupted the lives of the residents of sitio Guisi.

As part of the recovery program, the Guisi Community Based Tourism Enterprise Development Project, with focus on ecotourism, was conceived. This was aimed at providing livelihood for the displaced fisher folks and the nearby communities by restoring the island’s precious marine environment.

The laudable project is a joint undertaking of the Department of Tourism through the Office of Product Research and Development, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), The Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) and the Local Government Unit of the Province of Guimaras.

The location of the program is within the vicinity of the Guisi Lighthouse in barangay Dolores, Municipality of Nueva Valencia. This particular area was chosen because of the residents’ initiative to protect their coastal areas and the fact that the lighthouse, which was built in 1896, is being promoted by the provincial government for heritage tourism.

Since the inception of the project, the Department of Tourism has, among others, conducted the training component for Mabuhay Host and Skills Development, mountain biking skills, rappelling and snorkeling. A seminar for tourism frontliners was also conducted, as well as a workshop on Food Preparation and Handling to adequately equip the community.

To further assist them in establishing their own niche in the highly competitive industry, the department formulated a business plan to guide them in the management of the new tour package called Guisi Discovery Quest.

DOT Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano, in his recent visit to Guimaras, formally turned over the tour package to the Barangay Dolores Tourism Council headed by its president Henrietta Dulla, vice president Rene Garonita, secretary Joyce Ojeda, treasurer Josie Guevarra and manager Marilyn Cordero. DOT Undersecretary for Planning and Promotions Edu Jarque, DOT Central Office Rolando Cañizal, Governor Felipe Hilan Nava, Congressman Rahman Nava, Municipal Mayor Alejandro Araneta, Regional Director Edwin Trompeta,  South East Asia Canadian Urban Institute Regional Manager Francis Gentoral and Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program Kyo Naka witnessed the event.

To be managed by the Guisi Heritage Cottage, the package will provide quality service and experience for tourists through nature-based recreation activities such as mountain biking, snorkeling, rappelling, boating and trekking. More importantly, the entire community will benefit from this venture by serving as tour guides and kitchen staff.