CEBU, Philippines — With the “Suroy-Suroy Sugbo Southern Heritage Trail” tourism caravan fast approaching, the Cebu Provincial Government is making sure that hygiene and cleanliness standards for resorts throughout province are being observed.
That is why Governor Gwendolyn Garcia met with resort operators at the Capitol last Saturday for an “accommodation establishment coordination meeting”.
The meeting was also attended by Board Member Red Duterte, Sangguniang Panlungsod committee on tourism chairman; and Provincial Tourism Officer Maria Lester Ybañez.
From November 22 to 24, both local and foreign tourists will embark on the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo Southern Heritage Trail, visiting a total of 22 local government units in southern Cebu.
The itinerary includes 19 towns and three cities, offering tourists a three-day, two-night exploration experience.
The towns included in the heritage trail are Minglanilla, San Fernando, Sibonga, Argao, Dalaguete, Alcoy, Boljoon, Oslob, Santander, Ginatilan, Malabuyoc, Alegria, Badian, Moalboal, Alcantara, Ronda, Dumanjug, and Barili, while the three cities are Talisay, Naga, and Carcar.
The tourism caravan comes with a package tour rate that depends on the accommodation of choice of the guest. To take part in the event, tourists can choose their preferred accommodation, with rates ranging from PHP 11,900 to PHP 16,200 per person.
Participants of the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo can look forward to exploring various heritage sites, including historic churches, ancestral homes, and landmarks that showcase southern Cebu's colonial history and local traditions.
The guests would also savor local culinary specialties from each participating locality, enjoy cultural performances such as traditional dances and music that highlight local heritage, and purchase handcrafted souvenirs made by local artisans, thus supporting small businesses.
In line with Governor Garcia's challenge to fellow leaders to "level up," she also urged resort operators to do the same, particularly in terms of cleanliness and the comfort of accommodations for guests, as most of the attendees are already booked for the upcoming Suroy-Suroy event.
“We are going to bring up the level of tourism dinhi sa Cebu nga bisa’g kinsay moanhi, bisag unsa nga resort or accomodation, mahalon ba na kaayo o bahala’g backpackers, duna tay standard of cleanliness nga ang tanan mosunod,” Garcia said in a report over Sugbo News, the Capitol’s official media arm.
The report also mentioned that Governor Garcia plans to request the Cebu Provincial Board to pass an ordinance that would enforce the policy.
As part of the assessment process for Suroy-Suroy Sugbo, guests will be asked to rate their accommodations, which will help establish the hygiene and cleanliness standards for the resorts.
The ratings are expected to offer valuable feedback, helping to identify which establishments meet the desired standards and which ones require improvement.
“Right now, we are already practicing it, but we are willing to level up and meet the expectations of the Governor,” said Bona Urgello, a resort operator from Badian in reaction to the governor’s instructions.
Moreover, Garcia encouraged other resort owners to make their facilities available for future tourism caravans and provide guests with more options, particularly those with high ratings on major booking platforms.
The last Suroy-Suroy Sugbo, dubbed “Best of the West”, was held last July 12 to 14 and showcased a tourism adventure in midwest Cebu.
The three-day tourism caravan promoted prime tourist destinations as well as the different cultures in the seven localities of Aloguinsan, Asturias, Balamban, Pinamungajan, Tabuelan, Toledo City, and Tuburan.(CEBU NEWS)