For the second time in the Covid-19 pandemic era, the Department of Tourism-Mimaropa Regional Office recently feted outstanding individuals, public and private stakeholders which played vital roles in the restart of the tourism industry and transition to the new normal.
The awards were given at the virtual Mimaropa Tourism Appreciation and Recognition Day themed “Fame: Soar High and Radiate Amid A Pandemic”.
“This annual event recognizes the public and private stakeholders for their continued support and assistance to the success of the DOT’s programs. Likewise, this forms part of the incentives and benefits of this Regional Office to the accredited tourism enterprises which have maintained the quality standards in the Mimaropa Region,” says Tourism secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat in her welcome remarks.
Topping the roster of honorees were 22 establishments which were given the Safe Travels Stamp Certificate by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) for their compliance to global health and safety protocols.
Among these were Sunlight Ecotourism Island Resort in Culion; Club Paradise, Tag Resort, The Funny Lion, Two Seasons Island Resort and Spa, and Coron Hilltop Resort in Coron.
Awardees in El Nido were Pangulasian Island Resort, Lagen Island Resort, Miniloc Island Resort, Huni Lio, Casa Kalaw, Balai Adlao, Hotel Covo, Seda Lio and Charlie’s El Nido. Moreover, awardees in Puerto Princesa City include Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort, Puerto Pension, White Breeze Palawan Boutique, Astoria Palawan, Hue Hotels and Resorts.
Other WTTC Safe Travels Stamp recipients were Apulit Island Resort in Taytay, Palawan and Friday’s Resort in Puerto Galera.
Individual awardees include Finesse Residencia proprietor Jereline Calderon of Puerto Galera, and Puerto Princesa City tour guide Jeffanny Alvarez Best for success stories of stakeholders who survived and thrived due to their attendance of DOT’s high-impact webinars.
Also recognized were Hotel Centro operations manager Arthur Cayanan (Filipino Brand of Service Master Trainer) and San Jose municipal tourism officer Ann Roxanne De Vera (MakaNayon Cultural Formation Course and Cultural Leadership Institute Intensive Courses on Heritage Interpretation Course).
Rounding up the individual honorees were Benjamin Poliquit of Julian Tourist Inn, Gloria Basconcillo of White Beach Resort Bar and Restaurant, and Mylene Grace Quilit of Sikatuna Town Hotel who have attended the most number of DOT webinars.
Private sector citations also went to Banwa Private Island which was named Private Island of the Year and Destination Deluxe Awardee for 2020, and Astoria Palawan which received the Asean Tourism Standards Awards for 2022.
The local governments of Puerto Princesa City, the municipalities of El Nido, Coron, and Puerto Galera, and Calapan City were also recognized for having the highest number of DOT accredited tourism enterprises.
Tourism Assistant Secretary and former Mimaropa Regional Director Christopher Morales noted that under his watch in 2021, the Department conducted 45 trainings for the private sector and local tourism officers, and accredited 703 enterprises, for a running total of 785 accreditations.
“Just like our destinations in the region, everything is beautiful and we just have to nurture them as we soar high and radiate once more amid a pandemic,” he concluded.
Mimaropa or Region 4B, is composed of the island provinces of Mindoro Occidental and Oriental, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan, which are known for lush terrestrial and marine biodiversity, and natural wonders.
It is home to Unesco World Heritage Sites—the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park and the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, both located in Palawan, and the Unesco Man and the Biosphere Site Puerto Galera, which is also among the Most Beautiful Bays in the World.