DOT awards P1-M for GREET program beneficiaries

by Oliver T. Baccay

Tuguegarao City (14 July) — The Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 2 has awarded a total amount of Php1, 095, 733 worth of projects to proponents of the Grassroots Entrepreneurs for Ecotourism (GREET) program in Cagayan Valley Region.

Regional Director Blessida G. Diwa said the GREET is an ecotourism livelihood program of DOT to promote and safeguard the region’s ecotourism sites by empowering the community.

She said the empowerment involved the provision of vital services for tourists as their community based ecotourism projects.

In Isabela, the program has benefitted the Palanan Wilderness Development Cooperatives (PWDECO) with their thrust to protect the Palanan wilderness area.

In Cagayan, the Palaui Environmental Protection Association (PEPA) in Palaui Island, Sta. Ana was given support for their eco-historical interpretative tour guiding.

In Penablanca, Cagayan, where the flagship destination of tourists in the region, the Sierra Madre Outdoor Club (SMOC) was given an amount for the purchase of their caving, rappelling, and rock climbing equipment for rent. Another 2 individuals from this municipality were granted funding support to establish their pasalubong kiosk at the Callao Caves tourist zone.

In Batanes, 5 recipients and an association were also supported in their trading of ecotourism friendly products, under water tour guiding and purchase of equipment, souvenir shop and other livelihood projects in connection to the furtherance of tourism development and promotion.

Diwa said the result of the first phase of the project was impressive and the phase 2 will further enhance the livelihood opportunities in the grassroots level.

“This will further enhance the livelihood their delivery of services in ecotourism sites since their organizations are known to have track records in carrying out their mandates and in implementing their programs”, Diwa added. (PIA)