More festivals eyed in each barangay

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Tourism Commission (CCTC) has planned to expand its ongoing programs by involving the different barangays in promoting the tourism of the city.

Councilor Joy Pesquera, CCTC chairperson, revealed the initial strategy in upgrading the tourism value of different barangays by setting-up festivals promoting the main attraction of each area as part of the program.

Pesquera mentioned that they will be coordinating with the barangays in helping them with launching big festivals, starting with a capability-building approach to upgrade the way each barangay organizes their events.

These festivals include the Siomai Festival of Barangay Tisa, Tuslob Buwa Festival of Barangay Pasil, and Puso Festival of Barangay Inayawan.

The councilor's approach with this year's programs is in accordance with the instruction from Mayor Michael Rama to involve the different barangays in their tourism promotion programs.

"For this year, we will continue with our existing programs such as the highland blooms and eco-tourism as well as coastal tourism," said Pesquera.

The CCTC intends to launch the forest trekking in Barangay Tabonan and the canyoneering from Barangay Malubog to Barangay Budla-an.

They have yet to implement the infrastructure requirements for the coastal tourism projects, according to Pesquera.

The coastal tourism projects include island hopping, scuba diving port as well as restaurants at the fish market.

Cebu City Tourism Office (CCTO) staff together with the CCTC commissioners held a strategic planning workshop Friday in drafting the city's tourism master plan for 2022 to 2025 while considering the challenges of the industry with the ongoing pandemic.

Neil Odchigue, the newly-designated CCTO head, said that the tourism office will be working together with the tourism commission to ensure their synergy in delivering their services. — Abigail Joyce Ecoben, UV intern, GMR (FREEMAN)