By Lorie A. Cascaro
The provincial government of Davao del Norte envisions changing the mindset of the people with its Ugmad Komunidad, a convergence of tourism, sports and livelihood programs. This, according to project head, Assistant Provincial Administrator Romulo D. Tagalo during the launching of the program last February 27 at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan (capitol building) in Tagum City.
The program’s goal is not primarily to increase the income of the province, but to change the mindset of the people, as well as linking them to the market, he said.
In the press conference, Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said, “The fastest way to improve the economy is through tourism.” However, tourism is not an easy undertaking, he said, thus the people who reside where there are tourism destinations should be well-trained.
Pointing out the major role of communities in treating tourists, del Rosario said, “When you get a tourist, you better have the techniques on how to drain him of budget.”
He said if a tourist is satisfied with his or her experience in the area, most likely he or she would come again; otherwise, he or she would not promote the destination to family and friends.
The initial phase of the project is to identify tourism destinations, both existing and new tourism sites. So far, the identified sites are Panas Falls, Talicud Island and San Isidro cave, according to Tagalo.
After roadshow ends in the first half of March, four barangays in Talicud will be penetrated by Ugmad Komunidad in the second half.
Tagalo said the project team will create a technical working group with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); conduct focused group discussions and community planning. Aside from the potential tourist sites, the community will not only identify but also utilize the available resources, he added.
By July 1, he added, which is also Araw ng Davao del Norte, the province will start promoting existing and new tourism sites. He noted that the areas should be prepared before the distribution of brochures.
The key strategies of Ugmad Komunidad include prioritizing depressed communities with tourism potentials; sustained and sequential (social preparation, capability-building promotion and marketing; and replication); strong partnership with NGAs (DOT, DTI, DOST, TESDA, DOLE), NGOs (MASICAP), local colleges and the congressional offices of Cong. Anthony G. del Rosario; strong monitoring and evaluation mechanisms; and, partnership with local IT schools, strengthening Information Technology support link from Davao del Norte to the world.
Emphasizing the use of Facebook in promoting the province, Tagalo also mentioned the academe’s role in documentation which follows the standards of the World Bank among other related institutions.
Aside from promotion of tourism destinations, the provincial government’s promotions and investment interventions also include development of the coco coir industry; development of handicraft industry on beach shells as gifts and souvenir items; development of the seaweed industry; promote production of cardava banana; as well as business matching and marketing. [Lorie A. Cascao]
