Honesty a tourist attraction, tooAirport workers find tourist’s bag

Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 6 Regional Director Helen Catalbas
Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 6 Regional Director Helen Catalbas

BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA

ILOILO – Two Iloilo Airport employees who returned the bag of a foreign tourist containing a substantial amount of money (in dollars) are set to be recognized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 6 for their good deed.

According to Regional Director Helen Catalbas, her office would honor the honesty of Edgar Penit and Rubilyn dela Peña, both of Cabatuan town.

The two were utility workers at the airport.

The said bag, left by a foreigner at the airport’s pre-departure area, has been turned over to the airport authority.

DOT will help locate the owner, said Catalbas.

Her office promotes honesty as a plus factor that could greatly contribute to tourism promotion.

The regional director hopes that other tourism players, most especially the “front-liners” like taxi drivers and tourist guides, would emulate Penit and dela Peña as models.

She has recommended their nomination to the Philippine Tourism Star, a program of the Tourism department that keeps track of groups and individuals who go the extra mile in giving tourists a memorable experience while in the country, exemplifying true Filipino hospitality in their work place.

The program has two award categories: tourism front liners who embody the true Filipino brand of warm hospitality; and local chief executives — a mayor or governor who has contributed or heads a tourism movement within his or her community.

Nominations are accepted until the end of May this year.

One can nominate anyone who has directly or indirectly helped a tourist, and comes from any tourism sector such as local government units, travel agencies, tour guide operators, tourist transportation companies, hotels and resorts, among others. DOT staff are not eligible.

The local chief executive winner gets to take home P1-million worth of funding for his/her community-based tourism project, a bronze marker, free booth space in a market-matched global travel fair, display of the Tourism Star logo in the project’s website, and a trophy to be given by President Benigno Aquino III.

To nominate, visit Tourism Star website (www.tourismstar.ph) and submit the completed nomination form, summarized achievements of the nominee, and other documentary requirements like training certificates and awards to the nearest DOT Regional Office. Submitted entries will evaluated and validated by the Tourism Star team./PN