Regional tourism council won't join in Wow Phils

CEBU - Citing budgetary concerns and the lack of audience at the activity, the Central Visayas Regional Tourism Council (RTC-7) declined the invitation of the Department of Tourism to participate in the Wow Philippines Best of the Regions next month in Intramuros, Manila.

In a tourism council meeting last Tuesday morning at the Bethel Hotel in Dumaguete City, the council passed a resolution declining to participate in the DOT activity.

Siquijor Governor Orlando A. Fua, Jr., the chairman of the RTC-7, presided over the council meeting. Governor Emilio Macias of Negros Oriental and Governor Gwendolyn Garcia of Cebu attended the gathering.

Also present were Provincial Board Members Agnes Magpale of Cebu and Mariant Escaño-Villegas of Negros Oriental, Dr. Milagros C. Espina of the Cebu Visitors Convention Bureau, and DOT-7 Director Patria Aurora Roa.

The council, however, invited the organizers of the Wow Philippines and DOT Central Office to attend the One Visayas activity which is slated from March 1 to 8, 2009.

“Kami ra’y mopakpak sa among kaugalingon,” according to Macias, adding that Wow Philippines doesn’t serve its purpose, which is to show the people what the provinces have to offer.

Fua also said that they would not send delegation because of budgetary constraint.

The tourism council also passed a resolution supporting the One Visayas event.

The One Visayas event is the coming together of three Visayan regions – Region 6, 7 and 8 – in the effort to strengthen ties among the Visayas islands.

Among the activities of One Visayas group are the arts festival and a summit on climate change. — Garry B. Lao/LPM (THE FREEMAN)