Gov. Arthur Yap (left) and Tagbilaran bishop Alberto Uy (right) sign the memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the faith-based tourism project in the province. Photo courtesy of the PRIMER
Gov. Arthur Yap and Tagbilaran bishop Alberto Uy signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the faith-based tourism here in Bohol, according to a report from the Provincial Information and Media Relations (PRIMER), released on Sept. 9, 2021.
The MOA signing happened on Sept. 6, 2021 at the Capitol, the same report said.
Earlier, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) gave Yap the authority to sign the MOA with the Diocese of Tagbilaran for the faith-based tourism program.
The faith-based tourism program is eyed as an added attraction to the province once tourism activities return to normal, according to Vice Gov. Rene Relampagos.
Yap said it is important to develop tour packages to highlight the heritage churches of Bohol.
“Bohol is not the tourism of big shopping consumerism and casinos. Bohol is more true to its soul when it leverages faith, history, music, the arts and culture, as the defining character of its tourism,” Yap said in a statement following the MOA signing.
The report says that among those who witnessed the signing were Lucas Nunag of the Provincial Tourism Council; Jeremy Barnes, the director general of the National Museum of the Philippines; Audrey Tomada, head of the National Museum-Bohol; John Titus Vistal, head of the Provincial Planning and Development Office; and Josephine Cabarrus, head of the Bohol Tourism Office.