BECTC CONDUCTS 1st BATANES TOURISM INDUSTRY HERITAGE MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP
By: Philippine Information Agency - Basco, Batanes

Among the initial programs of the Batanes Eco-Cultural Tourism Cooperative (BECTC) was to conduct the first workshop on Tourism Industry, Heritage Conservation and Management in the province on May 15-17,2002.

NCIP Provincial Director Celerina M. Navarro felt a strong need to conduct such workshop involving stakeholders to assess our readiness on the tourism industry while preserving our cultural heritage and conserving our environment. The partnership of the provincial government, BDFI, NCIP and BECTC provided a very fruitful orientation and workshop. The attendance of NGOs, LGUs, DEPED, DTI, DENR, IFDCI, NSO, DOST, the UNESCO Secretariat and other agencies ensures strong arms in the protection and conservation of our heritage in the promotion of tourism industry here.

Before facilities were improved and transportation regularized, Batanes scenery had charmed Ipulas and foreigners in the province. They content themselves with the hospitality of the people, the unique beauty of the place, the simplicity of living and innocence of the Ivatans.
Now that facilities are improved, we find increasing volume of tourists. Yet we are not aware that the world's top earner is the tourism industry.

Before, only the moneyed group were privileged to tour but now anyone can tour. The conveniences in touring can now be sought. And for as long as there is available transportation, people will keep coming. But Batanes is limited and fragile. We can't stop tourists from coming but we can control.

As Mrs. Navarro of NCIP remarked, "the result of the workshop here will either make or unmake the tourism industry in Batanes".

The big challenge today is: Are we ready for tourism industry?

Mr. Trygve Bolante of the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement presented an eye-opener that Tourism is both Danger and Opportunity like Fire. Mr. Bolante lectured on the Nature and Impacts of Tourism; Economic Cultural and Social Benefits and Costs; Environmental Benefits and Costs and Sustainable Eco-Cultural tourism.

Batanes readiness for the tourism industry could be assessed by the indicators presented by Hon. Charles Ibañes, Chair of the Committee on Tourism and Environment with his report on the status of Tourism in the province.

Some concerns that indicate non-readiness are: absence of provincial tourism office and staff; and Tourism Info Center, lack of lodging houses, unfinished waterworks system in Basco, unreliable air and sea transport system, lack of comfort rooms in beaches and ports, absence of ordinances authorizing collection of fees from tourists, lack of legislative measures on the protection of tourist sites to mention some.

Batanes was favored with the presence of Vigan City Mayor Hon. Eva Singson Medina and SB member, Hon. Germi, Singson Goulart. Mayor Medina talked on the Heritage Conservation Program of Vigan and its Impact on Tourism. She wittingly said, "let's forget tourism but let's talk of environment and conservation. Tourists will uncontrollably come to see the conserved and well managed environment of your place". Tourism will automatically happen. The mayor gave tips of how Vigan entice tourists by merely conserving and preserving its cultural heritage. Now Vigan is a bustling center for tourism, commerce and industry. Vigan is a community that deeply treasures its rich cultural heritage. It organized a Conservation Council, a multi-sectoral council composed of religious, business, academe etc.
The mayor cautioned, "Protect your place, feel good about your place and be proud of your place".

The Planning Process of the Tourism Program of Vigan was discussed by Hon. Germi Goulart. (Mayor Medina is ex-Gov. Chavit Singson's niece while SB member Germi Singson Goulart is his youngest sister)

Other feature was the presentation of Major-Strategies of LIJIANG Ancient Town Action Plan by BDFI Exec. Dir. Ferdie Elica.

After a thorough discussion and open forum the participants were grouped into four to work on the four models which are Fiscal Management of Heritage Conservation, Maintenance and Development of the municipal level; Model II Involvement and Investment by the Tourism Industry in the Sustainability of Cultural Heritage; Model III Community Education and Skills Training leading to Employment in the Heritage; and Model IV Census Building among Tourist promoters, property developers, local residents and heritage conservationalists.

Presentation of outputs and deliberation concluded the workshop.