ILOILO – To strengthen homestay accommodation for tourists and, at the same time, provide residents with livelihood, the provincial government is introducing the “Bisita sa Barangay” program.
“We want our barangay residents to recognize the value of tourists. Households, barangay barangay officials and tanods must know how to deal with them,” Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said in Hiligaynon.
He will soon release an executive order on the “Bisita sa Barangay” implementation, including the roles of local and national government offices involved.
Defensor, however, clarified that not all 1,721 barangays in the province will be covered by the program, but only those with tourism potential.
He would thus task the Provincial Tourism Office (PTO) to inventory the barangays with tourism potential and determine the projects or programs suited to accommodate tourists, such as footwalk or water system, among others.
“The program focuses on the needs of the barangays, pero ang orientation tungod nga kinahanglan sa tourism. Ang amon sina nga goal nga pabakudon ang homestay accommodation sa barangay,” said Defensor.
The governor, however, admitted that implementing the program will be challenging because it requires funds, so the provincial government will try to implement it gradually.
Defensor also said this program is not new, pointing out that in barangays with existing tourism destinations, some households are already offering homestays to tourists, and there are others where at least one family member serves as a tourist guide./PN
