Magpale stays in tourism body

AFTER COSTAS APOLOGY

Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale has decided to stay as chairperson of the Provincial Committee on Tourism following an apology from Provincial Tourism Office head Joselito “Boboi” Costas over their supposed miscommunication.

“I will reconsider my plan (to resign),” Magpale said yesterday.

Conflict arose between the two after Costas did not consult Magpale on some projects his office implemented, including one that slighted mayors of the so-called “Big 5” ecotourism destinations – Argao, Alcoy, Alegria, Aloguinsan and Boljoon.

Costas apologized to the vice governor in a closed door meeting yesterday.

“Ang iyang explanation was this – he never worked in government, wala siya kahibalo sa workings sa government,” Magpale said.

She said Costas' explanation wasn't convincing enough, “but the fact nga he apologized, I accepted it.”

Aside from the supposed exclusion of the “Big 5” from projects of the tourism office, the magazine “1521” that the tourism office launched recently also did not bear Magpale's message because Costas did not want the magazine to be politicized and appear like a souvenir program.

Magpale and Costas also have different views on Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions (MICE) tourism.

“Kinsa pa man motabang nato sa Suroysuroy, even if we privatized that, ug karon pa lang, nasuko na na (mayors) nato?” Magpale said.

Magpale said Costas has denied not supporting MICE tourism, contrary to what Costas' staff reportedly told the vice governor.

“Ambot kinsa nagsulti nila og tinood. Duna nila ang bakakon,” Magpale said.

Magpale has pushed for MICE because it is reportedly one of the strategies employed by Thailand to bring tourists to the country.

For his part, Costas said he and Magpale have decided to “move forward” and “keep their lines of communication for the good of Cebu province.”