Negros Occidental Tourism

Silay City topped three provincial awards in the recently conducted Provincial Tourism Excellence Awards 2009.

Held at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol, the entries from Barangay Balaring Mangrove Rehabilitation Program and Hawaiian Philippine Company were declared winners in the Excellence Awards for Effective Implementation of Barangay Tourism and the Private Sector’s Initiative on Sustainable Tourism, respectively.

Silay City Tourism Office, on the other hand, received a plaque as one of the 10 most cooperative tourism offices in the province.

Accepting the award in behalf of barangay chief Jocelyn Doromal, Neil Solomon Locsin, Silay City consultant for historical research, said the project, which started in 1996, has been drawing in foreign visitors, especially Japanese students and professionals to the city.

He further said the project has contributed a lot to the locality resulting in the emergence of a number of restaurants in the barangay.

“Iron dinosaurs” or steam locomotives are still operational at HPCo.

Local and foreign tourists drop in the city to view these 1908 inventions by Baldwin Co. of Philadelphia. HPCo acquired the equipment in 1918. Its effort to preserve and maintain the locomotive has helped in the promotion of Silay’s tourism potentials.

Silay City Mayor Jose Montelibano is pleased with the citations received by the city. He said his office has “big dreams” for Silay, saying that with the cooperation and support of the barangays, Silaynons and private sector will make Silay as one of the finest cities in the province.

PHILIPPINE tourism remains proactive despite the onslaught of the A(H1N1) virus not just in the country but its neighboring south and southeast Asian regions.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is anchoring on the statement of the World Health Organization that travelers and tourists may visit the country without travel restrictions acknowledging the preparedness measures of the country against A(H1N1).

In a statement released by the DOT recently, tourists coming to the Philippines are assured that all monitoring procedures are being implemented, and coordination with regional tourism offices is maintained to guarantee appropriate action.

Meanwhile, despite issues on A(H1N1), the province of Negros Occidental is giving a boost to its tourism industry with the forthcoming Provincial Tourism Week starting Monday until Friday, the 25th.

The celebration is supported by the different cities in the province particularly Escalante and Kabankalan on the theme “Tourism Celebrating Diversity”. Various contests, cultural shows and advocacy and information drives were calendared for the celebration.

To maintain the role of tourism in economic development, DoT enjoins tourism stakeholders to strengthen its readiness in responding to the growing concern and help educate travelers on practical steps to prevent the spread of the virus.

Being informed and prepared is always the key. Knowing that the A (H1N1) virus is not an airborne virus but transmitted via water droplets, it is important for travelers to practice necessary precautions through strict personal hygiene, regular hand washing, and etiquette, the DoT statement said.

The Sangguniang Pan-lungsod members headed by Vice-Mayor Delia Anacan, staff and technical assistants with the Tourism and Information staff of Kabankalan City held a tree-planting activity in Mag-aso Falls, Brgy. Oringao recently.

The tree-planting was one of the highlights of the Tourism Week celebration in Kabankalan that started Sept. 14 until Sept. 19.
Around 300 seedlings were planted within the vicinity of the resort. These seedlings will be inspected two weeks after, to make sure they are really growing, said VM Anacan.

The SP members held their weekly session in the resort after the tree planting activity. Lunch was served after the session.

Excellence Awards for Tourism Officers Tourism Excellence Awards will be given to qualified tourism officers and LGU entries with projects and activities which fit in the criteria provided by the Association of Tourism Officers of Negros Occidental (ATONO).

The awarding of plaques and certificates by Gov. Isidro Zayco and Board Member Edgardo Acuña, SP chair on Tourism Week Opening Program (10 a.m) at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol.

Jenny Cordero, provincial tourism officer, said that the submission of entries should not be later than Thursday morning (Sept. 17).

Ver Pacete, ATONO president, said the awards include the effective implementation of barangay tourism programs, identification of emerging tourism activity, initiative of private sector on sustainable tourism, implementation of tourism regulations and functions, recognition of most cooperative tourism offices, specifying the best tourism office and the selection of the best tourism officer.

The awards committee will also single out programs and mediamen who have sustained their assistance to the community-based activities of ATONO and the Provincial Tourism Office.

Certificates of appreciation will also be given to tourism organizations in the province— RANI, NITI, ATONO, WIT, HRANO, SKAL and NAITAS

Turismo de Silay: Celebracion Grande” is the theme of the Tourism Week celebration of Silay City on September 14-19, 2009.

Silay City Mayor Jose L. Montelibano said that the week-long celebration is in cooperation with the World Tourism Month Celebration anchored on the theme Tourism: Celebrating Diversity.

Balay Negrense Museum and Jalandoni House Museum will accommodate free entrance to 100 students/pupils daily from the public schools of Silay. This should be coordinated with Remedios Dilag, Social Studies supervisors of DepEd-Silay.

“Arte Sa Arte, Kasaysayan, Palibot kag Turismo” photo exhibit with the special participation of Ramon Hofileña’s art collection will be displayed at Sen. Jose C. Locsin Cultural and Civic Center (SJCLCCC).

“Latay sa Kawayang Taytay,” an ecotourism project in Balaring Mangrove Rehabilitation Program sponsored by IKAW-AKO Foundation will accommodate student environmentalists coming from all schools in Negros Occidental. This is coordinated by Leo Canson (09173319549).

Silay City Tourism Division is also sponsoring tourism outreach program at Sitio Cabug Baybay, Brgy. Guinhalaran which features “Fiesta Ginamos Ginisa Exotica.”

This event is showcasing assorted ginamos cooking competition to highlight the livelihood of the fisherfolks. Project coordinator and competition chairman is Clarisse Salmingo.

Complementing the vent is “Palarong Musmos” which offers local parlor games - luksong-tinik, nanay punta tindahan, lakad-itlog-lakad, dakip-itlog-dakip, laruang talong and ipa mo-sipa ko.

“Harana sa Kahapunanon” will be participated in by the grey-haired serenaders; while Variety-Show Sabado will be hosted by SPM Warlito Go and SPM Linda Caja.

Ver Pacete, tourism officer, said that other attractions are cultural heritage-liturgical tour, barangay showcase in pictures, and outdoor camping in Brgy. Patag

The Balay ni Tana Dicang is celebrating its 1st Anniversary with the 10th Annual Minuluan Festival of Talisay City on Thursday the 10th of September 2009.

The Timpla Sang Talisay which will highlight the food and culinary talents of the City of Talisay.

On this whole day affair the winners of the Annual Talisay Skills Competition will be on hand to demonstrate their artisanal skills in the art of making traditional delicacies like bukayo, bitso-bitso, kalamay-hati, and ukoy!

It is also the season of home grown fruit from the Concepcion uplands which is famous for its mangosteen, durian, rambutan, and lanzones will also be ready for sale along with products from several local producers of the city’s food sector.

Other culinary talents and aspiring chefs of Talisay will also present their specialties for lunch and merienda at the Museum’s ground floor areas.

Food - our most tangible form of heritage that is part of our daily culture will be readily available to all of the visitors of the Balay - so please come and bring your family and friends for this one day only event! For further information please contact the Balay ni Tana Dicang, 36 Rizal Street, Talisay City, 4952104 05 7126800.