BACOLOD City – The development of Gawahon, A Birder’s Paradise, officially began with a ceremonial groundbreaking held on June 11 at the Gawahon Ecological Park in Barangay XI, Victorias City, Negros Occidental.
Envisioned as a haven for sustainable and inclusive eco-tourism, the initial phase of the project will focus on constructing the Gawahon Information Center and Tourist One-Stop-Shop — the first sub-project under the broader “birder’s paradise” initiative — with a total funding of P13 million.
The funding was secured through an P8-million grant from the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), complemented by P5 million from the Office of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
This flagship project is one of the winning entries in the DOT’s Tourism Champions Challenge (TCC), which aims to boost eco-tourism development at the local government level.
In 2023, the Victorias City Government submitted its proposal to the DOT’s nationwide challenge, which sought to identify innovative and sustainable tourism initiatives from local government units (LGUs).
Out of 98 proposals from 90 LGUs nationwide, Victorias City emerged as one of the 15 national winners, ranking fourth in the Visayas cluster.
The upcoming facility is designed to be an educational and orientation hub for visitors. It will feature a visitor reception area, interpretive galleries highlighting local bird species and native biodiversity, and a souvenir shop offering locally made products — all intended to enhance the visitor experience while promoting environmental awareness and community-based tourism.
To formalize the project’s implementation and outline the responsibilities of each agency, a tripartite Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed during the event by DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, TIEZA Assistant Chief Operating Officer Jetro Nicolas Lozada, and Victorias City’s outgoing mayor and 3rd District’s Congressman-elect Javier Miguel Benitez.
Benitez expressed gratitude to the DOT, TIEZA, and the Office of the President for recognizing Victorias City’s commitment to sustainable tourism. He emphasized that the Gawahon project is not just about infrastructure, but also an investment in environmental conservation, inclusive growth, and long-term prosperity for Victoriasanons.
In her remarks, Frasco lauded the city for its forward-thinking proposal and reaffirmed the DOT’s support for initiatives that champion eco-tourism as a driver of inclusive progress and environmental resilience.
She stressed that the Tourism Champions Challenge was designed to empower LGUs to develop localized tourism solutions aligned with national goals and community priorities.
“Gawahon – A Birder’s Paradise is proof that when national vision aligns with local determination, we can build something truly meaningful and lasting,” Frasco said, commending Victorias City’s strategic focus on nature-based tourism.
Negros Occidental Provincial Tourism Officer Cheryl Decena, speaking on behalf of Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, also delivered a message of support, praising Victorias City for its dedication to community-centered tourism that benefits both people and the environment.
Following the groundbreaking and signing ceremonies, a ribbon-cutting was held for the newly completed Gawahon Hostel — a two-storey, seven-room dormitory-type accommodation constructed to meet the increasing demand for overnight stays in the area, particularly during major events such as scouting activities, athletic meets, and seminars./PN
