Benchmarking in tourism

In its bid to further promote the province’s tourism industry, the Davao Oriental delegation also benchmarked the tourism development and managementof the historic town of Vigan as well as other sites in Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.

Considering Davao Oriental and the two parts of Ilocos are hosts to properties included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, Governor Malanyaon said itwasan opportune time to learn and evaluate tourism practices here that can be adopted in Davao Oriental.

While natural and cultural resources are key features in tourism, Governor Malanyaon said that ‘what is most important is the effective management which eventually results to thelong-termsustainability and efficiency of tourism performance’. Karen Lou Deloso

ComVal’s indigenous peoples gather for Al’law ng Kalumonan

NABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley, March 9, 2015 - Wearing their colorful patterned costumes and showing off their tribal music and dance, around 1,300 indigenous peoples (IPs) from aroundCompostela Valley gathered for the Al’law ng Kalumonan (Tribal Day) during the 8thBulawan Festival and 17th Founding Anniversary celebration on March 7 at the Capitol Grounds.

Gracing the event was National Council for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Chairperson Commission en Banc Atty. LeonoreT. Orable-Quintayo who lauded the provincial government of Compostela Valley for giving value to IPs in ComVal.

“Tungodsa good governance, angComVal nag-unasapagpanalipodugpagtamodsamgakatungodsa indigenous peoples,” said Quintayo adding that the provincial government of ComVal has never failed to provide the cultural minorities with their privileges.

Quintayo revealed thatCompstela Valley is the first and only province in the Philippines to have all of its ancestral domains titled to IP’s and also the only province to have all of its municipalities an IP Mandatory Representative in the Sangguniang Bayan.

“Dinhiangmga IP adunaylugarugbili,” said Quintayo stressing that the IPs’ recognition is a result of the IP leaders’ hard work and unity and the provincial leaders’ good governance.

Present during the activity were the IP leaders, youth artists, women, elderly and men from the Kagan, Mansaka, Dibabawon, Mandaya,Mangguangan and Manobo tribes  who participated in various activities such as the poster –making contest, tribal games, and IP Women Health Campaign.

Also present during the event was GMA Network’s famed Kusina Master Chef Boy Logro, a local of Laak, who showcased his culinary expertise by cooking his best dishes together with the governor.

On the same day, Gov. Arturo Uy, together with other provincial officials and IP leaders, led the ground-breaking of the province’s tribal hall and museum at the Capitol Compound.

Meanwhile, tribal games, poster making contest, and IP Women Health Campaign were held in the afternoon.

The Al’law ng Kalumunan is an annual event of the provincial government to honor the IPs’ vital role in the conservation of ComVal’s indigenous arts and culture towards the inclusive growth. (jameslabrigas / ids comval)