0622051

PRESS RELEASE
Public Information Office-City Mayor's Office
Ref No. 0506-0013
June 22, 2005

DOT Urged LGUs ToTake Tourism as a Serious Business

     Department of Tourism Under Secretary for Tourism Services and Regional Offices Oscar P. Palayab called on Western Visayas local government officials to take tourism as serious business.
     Palayab, who was one of the invited speakers at the grand opening of the "Kabugana-an sang Western Visayas sa Intramuros" last June 18, 2005, said Western Visayas should be where the attention of the nation should focus on because of the region's display of unity.
     Palayad said tourism is not just about promotion. He urges the delegates to disabuse their minds from the usual "visit our place and taste the local cuisine" kind of tourism promotion, He said tourism is an engine for economic growth and a vehicle for development and poverty alleviation.
     More than a thousand delegates from Capiz, Aklan, Iloilo, Antique, Guimaras, Negros Occidental and Bacolod City flocked to Intramuros Manila. Bacolod City's contingent was headed by Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia while Negros Occidental's was Vice Governor Isidro P. Zayco.
     Bacolod's MassKara Festival was represented by Barangays Villamonte, 23 and Alijis. The 47-man dance group performed to the tune of the festival official them "Sigue Lang, Sigue Na, Bacolod Bato Kita!"
     Each contingent were introduced using their respective "branding". Aklan is the Philippine's Lasting Paradise is "Where the Mountains Meet the Sea", Capiz is the "Seafood Capital of the Philippines", Guimaras is "The Island that Fits Your Taste", Iloilo is "The Heart of the Philippines", Negros Occidental is "Sugar and More" and Bacolod City is "The Home of MassKara Festival".
     Other festival from Negros Occidental which also performed at the Plaza Ignacio in Intramuros were Bago City's Babaylan Festival, La Carlota Pasalamat and Mambukal Mudpack Festival.
     This is the third season of the DOT's 'Best of the Regions" where all regions of the country showcase their products and services. Western Visayas's theme for 2005 is 'We've Got What You're Looking For".

Highlights of the performance of the MassKara Festival at the "Kabugana-an sang Western Visayas", opening ceremonies of the Best of the Regions in Intramuros, Manila.

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia delivers his message before the guests in the celebration of the Bacolod-Negros Day in Intramuros, Manila.

Bacolod City Councilor Homer Bais and City Tourism Officer Imogene Kana-an leads the Bacolod delegates at the opening ceremonies of the Best of the Regions in Intramuros, Manila.

The Bacolod MassKara Contingents from (left) Barangay 23. Villamonte and Alijis during the parade for the opening ceremonies of the Best of the Regions in Intramuros, Manila.

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