Councilor Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz, chairperson of the Committee on Tourism and Beautification, is seeking to institutionalize community-based tourism in Davao City, emphasizing its potential to drive inclusive economic growth while preserving cultural heritage and empowering local communities.
In her privilege speech during Tuesday’s regular session of the City Council, Dalodo-Ortiz called for the inclusion under First Reading of a proposed ordinance establishing the Community-Based Tourism Framework of Davao City.
She highlighted the city’s rich cultural heritage, vibrant traditions, and diverse Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities as valuable assets that can contribute to both cultural preservation and sustainable economic development.
“Davao City is blessed with rich cultural heritage, diverse Indigenous Peoples communities, vibrant traditions, and unique local experiences that reflect the identity of our people. These resources are not only valuable cultural assets but also present opportunities for sustainable economic growth and community empowerment,” she said.
Dalodo-Ortiz noted that many communities across the city possess untapped tourism potential that could be harnessed through community-based tourism initiatives. Such programs, she said, would allow residents to showcase their culture, traditions, local products, indigenous knowledge systems, and way of life while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities.
“Through Community-Based Tourism, communities are given the opportunity to showcase their culture, traditions, local products, indigenous knowledge systems, and way of life while generating sustainable livelihoods and preserving their heritage for future generations,” she said.
She stressed that community-based tourism places local communities at the center of development, enabling them to directly benefit from tourism activities.
“Community-Based Tourism ensures that the benefits of tourism are felt directly by the communities themselves, making them partners rather than mere spectators in development,” Dalodo-Ortiz added.
The councilor also underscored the need to strike a balance between economic progress, cultural preservation, and environmental sustainability.
She said local policymakers must explore legislative measures that would provide communities with the support and framework needed to implement responsible tourism initiatives.
According to Dalodo-Ortiz, referring the proposed ordinance to the appropriate committee would allow stakeholders—including Indigenous Peoples groups, tourism practitioners, government agencies, and civil society organizations—to participate in consultations and help strengthen the measure.
She then moved for the inclusion under First Reading of the proposed ordinance and its referral to the appropriate committee for further study, consultation, and recommendation.
If approved, the measure is expected to establish policies and mechanisms that will strengthen community participation in tourism development while safeguarding the city’s cultural heritage, local traditions, indigenous knowledge systems, and environmental resources for future generations.
