TO FURTHER push for the recovery of the tourism sector during the pandemic, the Regional Development Council (RDC) 7 has approved for endorsement the proposed TouRIST projects for the provinces of Bohol and Siquijor.

During its third full council meeting on Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, the RDC 7 approved the inclusion of the tourist programs of both provinces in the Central Visayas Regional Development Investment Program 2017-2022.

“Tourism is one of the hard-hit sectors during this pandemic but while tourism activities are in a standstill, there are opportunities also to make use of this window where we can move on to certain projects,” said Virgilio Espeleta, chairman of the Economic Development Council.

He said it is very important to fund tourism projects that generate jobs.

The TouRIST or the Transforming Communities towards Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Tourism projects of Bohol and Squijor will be endorsed to the Department of Tourism- Central Office for funding.

TouRIST aims to improve access to priority infrastructure, strengthen local economic development and to strengthen disaster and crisis preparedness in select tourism destinations in the Philippines.

For Bohol, the proposed projects include the P9.3 million assistance to reinvigorate the tourism value chain, P240 million development of public markets into Bohol destination markets program, P157 million tourist site enhancement and management, P80 million hygiene preparedness in tourist sites, P104 million decompression chamber system, P156 million sea ambulance, P2.38 billion Bohol water and sanitation project (Phase 1–bulk water supply) and P425 million solid waste management facility.

Meanwhile, Siquijor’s proposed projects include the P279 million installation of solar-powered street lights along the Siquijor circumferential road and roads leading to major tourist sites and the P180 million secured accessibility for emergency response Siquijor.

The Central Visayas Regional Development Investment Program is the translation of the goals, objectives and strategies of the Regional Development Plan (RDP) into viable programs, activities, and projects (PAPs).

It also serves as the basis of the RDC in endorsing PAPs for funding where they should meet the RDIP criteria of relevance, resources, implementation feasibility, environmental acceptability and social acceptability. (JOB)