P41 M earmarked for Western Visayas tourism projects

ILOILO CITY: A total of 11 priority development projects in Western Visayas were implemented through the Bottom-Up Budgeting Process (BUB) of the Department of Tourism (DOT) regional office.

As of October 2015, the DOT has a total of 32 approved projects for 23 local government units in 2014 and 16 projects for 11 LGUs for 2015 amounting to P41,295,500.

The amount is intended for infrastructure, livelihood, skills training and production of promotional materials, as well as product development projects in different parts of the Western Visayas region.

DOT Regional director Helen Catalbas said the completed BUB projects amounting to P12,035,000 include Skills Training and Production of Promotional Materials with P470,000 and Improvement of Tigayon Hill with P1,955,000 in Kalibo, Aklan; Skills Training and Production of Promotional Materials with P13,000 and Construction of Makato Tourist Convenience and Pasalubong Center with P1,900,000 in Makato Aklan; Improvement of Sira-an Hotspring and Health Resort with P5,570,000 in Anini- y, Antique; Frontline Skills Training and Production of Promotional Materials with P130,000 in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental.

The others are Tourism Capability Training of Tourist Guides with a budget of P85,000 in Pulupandan, Negros Occidental, Construction of Wellness Center in Barangay Poblacion with P450,000, Road Signages in Barangay Poblacion, Tabao and Rizal with P500,000 and Improvement of ATOP Center in Barangay Poblacion with P500,000 in San Enrique in Negros Occidental, and Construction of Covered Footwalk with P345,000 in Dao, Capiz.

The BUB is aimed at directly address- ing development needs of the communities through direct participation in the budgeting process through equal participation of civil society organizations and LGUs during the identification of priority projects.

The process also gives emphasis on citizen participation, transportation, transparency and a meaningful devolution of national budget.

The projects have already reached 29 LGUs that has provided opportunities to the local communities, which are the primary beneficiaries.