THE Provincial Government of Guimaras (PGG) turned over health and safety materials to eight Department of Tourism (DOT)-accredited farms in the province to help mitigate the spread of coronavirus COVID-19.
Governor Samuel Gumarin and Liberty Ferrer, senior tourism operations officer and officer-in-charge of the Provincial Tourism Office, led the turnover of materials to DOT-accredited farms on January 27, 2021 at the NJST Fruit Farm in Oracon Sur, Sibunag, Guimaras.
The beneficiaries were Alma Santarina of Villa Santarina Farm, Edmon Mella of JEM Home Farm, Susan Tespoer of NJST Fruit Farm, Rose Gressier of Guimaras Wonders Farm, Leydee Sideño of Reyley Farm and Fish Haven, Charlie Lozañes of Fatima Farm, Jose Cruz of Cruz Vineyard and Dio-an Albilar of MJ Grapes Farm.
Gumarin is looking forward to more development in the province for the betterment of the island agri-eco tourism industry.
"Sa pagpadayon naton sa pag-improve sang aton nga mga serbisyo, we look forward for more development sa probinsiya sang Guimaras. For the past 18 years, Guimaras is standing as an agri-eco tourism capital sa Region 6. We are developing sang aton cultural by slowly mapping out kon ano ang ari diri sa probinsiya sang Guimaras. We are developing sang aton mga wharves kag iban pa nga mga services nga kun sa diin mag-abot diri ang mga turista sa probinsiya indi mabudlay, matahum kag orderly ang probinsiya," he said.
Guimaras has gradually opened its doors to local tourists or those visitors coming from Western Visayas only, as it seeks to revive its tourism industry that suffered a major blow from the 2019 sea tragedy and the Covid-19 pandemic.
The said event was facilitated by the Provincial Tourism Office in collaboration with the Provincial Office for Agricultural Services to support the recovery of both the agriculture and tourism sectors as the province gears up toward the "new normal."
In the interest of everyone's health and well-being, the Province of Guimaras ensured that tourism stakeholders comply with the protocols and precautionary measures set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Department of Health (DOH) to meet the international standards for health and safety, allowing visitors to confidently enjoy safe travels.
Tespoer, one of the beneficiaries, welcomed all the attendees and expressed her gratitude to the Provincial Government of Guimaras for the support to the farmers.
"Guimaras has now eight accredited farm sites. Pwede na kita ka-compete with other Region 6 provinces. We have the Provincial Government of Guimaras to be thankful sang ila nga support, ang DA o POAS and the DOT most especially the Provincial Tourism Office," she said.
The activity was conducted in compliance with the necessary health and safety protocols to avoid the further spread of Covid-19 and other infectious diseases. (PR)