DOT poised Sipalay as next Asean Clean Tourist City, top Sustainable Destination

This "Wow Sipalay" signage greets local and foreign tourists coming to Sipalay City, which is poised to become a leader for sustainable tourism. (Erwin P. Nicavera)
This "Wow Sipalay" signage greets local and foreign tourists coming to Sipalay City, which is poised to become a leader for sustainable tourism. (Erwin P. Nicavera)

THE Department of Tourism (DOT) positioned Sipalay City as the next recipient of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Clean Tourist City and among the Top 100 Sustainable Destinations.

These international recognitions were already received by San Carlos City.

DOT-Western Visayas Regional Administrative Officer Artemio Ticar, at the sidelines of Familiarization Tour on Monday, December 10, said other local government units (LGUs) in the province especially Sipalay City are also capable of achieving such awards.

Ticar, also the designated tourism area development head for Negros Occidental, said Sipalay was able to implement programs like that of San Carlos including the establishment of an eco-center that hosts a sanitary landfill and other facilities that promotes environmental protection and conservation.

“These initiatives will hopefully enable Sipalay City to also qualify as a potential recipient of these awards maybe next year,” he added.

Earlier this year, San Carlos received the 2017 first Asean Clean Tourist City award during the Asean Tourism Forum at the Shangri-La Hotel in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

The City Government bagged the award after complying with the requirements of the Asean Clean Tourist City Standard (ACTCS).

ACTCS is designed to protect the environment thus, responding to the impacts of climate change and contributing to the sustainable development of Asean cities.

It also aims to provide member-countries with a tool that will improve the quality of tourism in their cities, and increase their marketing competitiveness, but also improve the situation of local residents and their livelihood by alleviating poverty.

In September this year, San Carlos was also awarded as among the 2018 Top 100 Sustainable Destinations by Green Destinations.

The Top 100 Sustainable Destinations initiative aims to recognize tourism destinations that have worked hard to make a difference and take sustainability seriously.

For Sipalay, Ticar said the city should also adopt "green" practices like sourcing their power supply from renewable energy sources.

Aside from solar, it also has potentials in hydro and wind power generations, Ticar said.

“These practices really support our bid for sustainable tourism development on top of other aspects like ensuring standards for products and services as well as safety and security of tourists,” he added.

For his part, City Tourism Operations Officer Jerick Lacson, who was also present at the familiarization tour, said they want to be the leader of sustainable tourism in the province.

Lacson emphasized that for the past two years, the city has focused mainly on promotion.

“With the emerging problems and issues including those about the environment, we eventually became mature and our focus has shifted,” he said, adding that “our campaign for the moment is really pushing for sustainable Sipalay.”

Lacson stressed that “we do not want to be the next Boracay” which was closed for a six-month rehabilitation.

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