Tourism Undersecretary and concurrent Region 7 Director, Shahlimar Tamano (left) and Senior Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Tourism, Cong. Edgar Chatto (right) are shown engaging in a dialogue on tourism and travel concerns. Their August 29, 2022 discussion will give more teeth to the recovery mode which Bohol is now going into.
House Committee on Tourism Senior Vice Chairperson Egdar Chatto met with tourism industry stakeholders in Bohol on Aug. 28, 2022 to discuss insights as the tourism industry enters into the recovery mode.
Chatto had a chance to talk with Provincial Tourism Council chairman lawyer Lucas Nunag, on Aug. 28, 2022, about local tourism industry developments including the upcoming construction of the expanded causeway in Dauis, which will serve as a sidewalk for the use of the public.
Called the Borja Bridge Retrofitting Project, the upcoming construction is set to be implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) soon. The project includes the construction of an iconic “leisure sidewalk” beside the causeway for public’s use which will address safety and tourism concerns, among others.
The meeting also tackled recommendations for water flow solutions to avoid red tide problems at the causeway area.
In a media interview, Chatto said that he gained valuable insights from his meetings with tourism stakeholders that proved to be important in the discussions with the House Committee on Tourism members, where he sits as Senior Vice Chairman.
He also stated that it is high time to take advantage of Congressional oversight powers as it has been more than 10 years since the enactment into law of the Tourism Act of 2009.
Chatto authored the Tourism Act during his first foray in Congress.
“We feel it is time the law is reviewed for possible amendments that will make it relevant to the industry trends,” Chatto added.
In a related development, Chatto also met with Department of Tourism (DOT) Undersecretary and concurrent Region 7 Director Shahlimar Tamano on August 29, 2022 where they discussed tourism and travel concerns.
Meanwhile, DOT Secretary Christina Frasco reported during a budget hearing at the House of Representatives that the tourism sector is on its way to recovery; thanks to the easing of travel restrictions and for assuring the tourists of their safety in the various destinations in the country.
Chatto also said global tourism has been the fastest growing industry in terms of job generation and livelihood.
The Bohol Tourism Office reported that Bohol so far posted a 56% increase in tourism arrivals from 30,157 tourists in the 1st quarter of 2021 compared to 53,726 tourists in the 1st quarter of 2022.