THE Department of Tourism (DOT), through its Tourism Promotion Board (TPB), has introduced “Bangon Tours” to raise funds for typhoon-ravaged destinations in the Visayas.
TPB chief operations officer Ramon Enerio III said the project is in line with the National Government's recovery and rebuilding efforts for areas affected by calamities.
Enerio said that persons visiting 16 selected destinations from Dec. 1, 2013 to Feb. 28, 2014 can avail themselves of special packages and help raise funds for rehabilitation and recovery projects.
He said the project involves travel agents, hotels, resorts, airlines and tourist transport operators, restaurants, shopping malls and even credit card companies.
Share
Duty Free shops and local government units are also involved in the project.
“These establishments are being asked to share at least five percent of their net income from the tour packages or room nights sold via Bangon Tours,” Enerio said in a statement.
The share will go the participating firm’s chosen nongovernment organization or charitable institution, which is involved in rehabilitation efforts.
Enerio said the International Labor Organization estimates that 2.8 million out of the 5.6 million workers employed in Western, Central and Eastern Visayas worked in restaurants and earn a living as vendors, motorcycle/tricycle and passenger jeepney drivers.
Many of them were displaced when super typhoon Yolanda struck Tacloban City in Leyte, Guiuan in Eastern Samar, Roxas city in Capiz, Coron in Palawan, and northern Cebu, including Tabogon, Medellin, Daanbantayan, San Remegio, Tabuelan, Bantayan, Sta. Fe and Madridejos and Bogo City.
“It's an invitation to … visit our fun destinations and participate in rebuilding efforts,” Enerio said in a letter to DOT 7 Director Rowena Montecillo.