Tourism to the rescue

"The thing about tourism is that the reality of a place is quite different from the mythology of it."
--Martin Parr

By Alex P. Vidal

POLITICS and all other depressing news should now take a backseat for a positive event.
The best way to promote the assets, world-class facilities, and infrastructure and highlight the potentials of Iloilo City and Province is to listen to what the Department of Tourism (DOT) will say on this subject matter.
The best way coax investors and pump lifeblood in Iloilo's economy is to support the DOT programs especially if they will benefit the entire region and create a myriad of opportunities for the Ilonggos.
We can always count on the DOT to sprinkle dynamism and fresh air and change the tune of local discussions from political muckraking to tourism and economic breakthroughs.
Thus we laud the DOT Western Visayas headed by Director Helen J. Catalbas and the Tourism Board for the launching October 9 of the Iloilo City Meetings, Incentive Travels, Conferences/Conventions, Exhibitions/Events (MICE) Campaign with the tagline “Meet you in Iloilo" at the Iloilo Convention Center in Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

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The event reportedly aims to position Iloilo as MICE destination and will gather top associations and corporations in the Philippines, travel managers and event organizers to see for themselves what Iloilo has to offer.
As quoted in a recent report, Catalbas explained: “The Iloilo City MICE Campaign will not be possible without the support from the Tourism Promotions Board, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), MICE Alliance members and other partners. The unity of tourism stakeholders in positioning Iloilo City as MICE destination is an overwhelming factor to promote inclusive growth."
The report added: "In sync with the promotion of Iloilo as MICE destination, DOT VI strongly encourages tourism enterprises to be DOT-Accredited MICE organizer or facility/venue to ensure quality services are being offered to clients and visitors."


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We hope Iloilo City lone district Representative Julienne "Jamjam" Baronda was able to hold a public consultation before she reportedly filed House Bill 3074 or An Act Reapportioning the Lone Legislative District and the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Iloilo.
Under the bill, which was co-authored by two other Iloilo solons, Rep. Raul Tupas (5th district, Iloilo) and Rep. Michael Gorriceta (2nd district, Iloilo), the First Legislative Distrist will be composed of Jaro, La Paz, and Mandurriao while the Second Legislative District will be composed of City Proper, Molo, Arevalo and Lapuz.
In any major legislation involving the district and the welfare of the people, a public hearing is necessary; all the stakeholders must have an active participation and voice in the pre-filing level before a bill of such importance and magnitude is introduced in congress.
In the public consultation, the people will have to hear the pros and cons and the opportunity to further study and strengthen the proposed legislation will be guaranteed.
(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)