SOME 85 bangkeros (Boatmen) and drivers from Carbon and Tampalan village in Malamawi Island, Isabela City, the capital of Basilan province, have undergone a two-day basic water search and rescue (Wasar) training.

The Department of Tourism (DOT)-Zamboanga Peninsula said the training was conducted last week in Tabuk village, Isabela City.

They have performed their Basic Life Support return demonstration for the preparation of their security as the opening of the tourist sites and the arrival of tourists will soon be welcome again in the city of Isabela, according to the DOT.

The City Government of Isabela headed by Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman, through the Isabela City Tourism Office, with the support of the DOT–Zamboanga Peninsula, has rolled out TSCOPE Series or the T’SCOPE: Tourism Short Courses as Opportunities for People Empowerment (Economic Recovery Assistance).

Hataman said the program is aimed to provide an avenue for tourism grassroots stakeholders to advance the already existing competence and equip and adopt new trends in preparation for the resumption of tourism operations.

The DOT-Zamboanga Peninsula expressed its gratitude to the Isabela City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office and the Army Special Forces for assisting them in the conduct of the training. (SunStar Zamboanga)