THE Department of Tourism (DOT) in Western Visayas is pushing for more road networks to boost the region's tourism industry.
DOT-Western Visayas Director Helen Catalbas, in a statement on Tuesday, January 15, said there were 168 proposed tourism road projects in the region last year.
Of the number, 79 projects amounting to P2.48 billion were included in the 2018 General Appropriations Act (GAA), Catalbas said.
Thirteen projects worth P520 million are in Negros Occidental, and one project amounting to P90 million is in Bacolod City.
“These road projects have made more tourism destinations accessible to tourists and provided a livelihood in the community,” she said, adding that “tourism facilities begin to emerge with the influx of tourists.”
The regional line agency has recognized that strong road networks often lead to better economy.
With investments pouring in, the DOT said micro, small and medium enterprises are also getting a boost.
Catalbas said roads also connect people, culture, heritage, and traditions.
She said that air, land, and sea connectivity is one of the competitive advantages of Western Visayas.
“The strengthened linkage of Western Visayas to more major hubs in the Philippines made the region accessible to more domestic and foreign tourists,” she added.
In 2017, the region's tourist arrival was 5.8 million resulting in tourism receipts, or amount of spending, worth P128.45 billion.
Moreover, the DOT-Department of Public Works and Highways Convergence Program on Tourism Road Infrastructure Projects is conducting a regional consultative workshop in Iloilo City on January 29.
The activity aims to present the accomplishments last year and updates on pending and upcoming projects.
For 2019, there are 142 proposed road projects from different legislative districts in the region.
Catalbas said the project proposals previously submitted and were not included in Fiscal Year 2019 will be reassessed and revalidated for possible consideration under next fiscal year listing.
In Negros Occidental alone, there are 11 projects funded under the last year's GAA and will be included in the assessment.
These are comprised mostly of construction, rehabilitation, and upgrading of roads in cities of Talisay, Cadiz, Sagay, Kabankalan, and Sipalay, and the town of Binalbagan with an initial appropriation of P420 million.
Meanwhile, the improved Tourism Road Infrastructure Project Prioritization Criteria guidelines and indicative steps for submission of required documents will also be discussed during the workshop.