Governor says E-GWEN helps improve Cebu's rating

CEBU, Philippines - Governor Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday claimed that the success in the implementation of the provincial government’s Expanded Green and Wholesome Environment that Nurtures has a big contribution to the province’s rating from fourth to third place among the best provinces in the world by a travel magazine.

Aside from that, the governor said that the local government units have benefited a lot from the program the reason why they are supporting it.

Garcia said the partnership of Cebu province with the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. also has a big contribution to the success of the provincial government’s program.

It was reported that the Discovery Shores, a resort in the world-renowned Boracay Island in Aklan, also made it to this year’s list as one of the Best Resorts in Asia.

Travel + Leisure magazine recently released the results of its World’s Best Awards 2010, a listing of the best hotels, airlines, cruises islands and cities all over the world.

Cebu got a rating of 87.50 points, up by 8 points of last year’s 79.68 points, to climb to the number three spot from fourth last year.

On the other hand, Garcia said the E-GWEN program under her administration will continue until her term ends in 2013. But she hopes that even if her term ends, the next administration will continue the implementation of the program.

This year, the municipality of San Francisco in Camotes Island was adjudged as 2009 E-GWEN awardee.

The municipality of San Francisco, through its leaders, has implemented programs and projects that make the town green and a good place to leave. They also focus on programs promoting tourism. (THE FREEMAN)