Manila: The national government is allocating PHP399 million in grants to fund tourism projects across 21 destinations nationwide, the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced on Thursday. This allocation is part of the second cycle of the Tourism Champions Challenge (TCC), a program aimed at empowering local government units (LGUs) to propose and execute community-based tourism projects.
According to Philippines News Agency, the submission of proposals for the TCC was formally opened on July 31. Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco highlighted the success of the program's first cycle, noting its impact in enabling LGUs across the Philippines to propose tourism infrastructure projects that create livelihood opportunities for community-based tourism organizations. Frasco emphasized the government's commitment to ensuring that tourism development reaches even the most remote areas of the country.
The TCC initiative is funded by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), DOT's infrastructure arm. Earlier in April, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. awarded PHP255 million in grants to 15 LGUs with winning proposals from the first TCC cycle. During that cycle, a total of 90 LGUs submitted 98 project proposals.
In Luzon, the winning LGUs include Ambaguio, Nueva Vizcaya for the Ambaguio Skyport; Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro for the Mangrove Forest Park Development; and Bolinao, Pangasinan for a community-based tourism project on Silaki Island, among others.
In the Visayas, successful projects include Tubigon, Bohol for the Enchanted Ilijan Plug and Badian, Cebu for the Toong Spring Nature Park. Other notable projects include Silago, Southern Leyte's eco-experience project and Victorias City, Negros Occidental's birding paradise.
Mindanao's winners feature Isabela City, Basilan for the Lampinigan Jetty Port and Leisure Development Project and Davao City, Davao del Sur for a cultural and sustainable tourism initiative. Other projects include those in the Island Garden City of Samal and Tagum City, Davao del Norte.
The TCC continues to be a significant initiative supporting the development of tourism infrastructure through community engagement and localized project execution across the Philippines.
