The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) awarded CEST Inc. in Joint Venture with PRIMEX and Tomeldan, Alli, & Molina (TAM) Planners, the contract for the Consulting Services for the Formulation of Tourism Infrastructure Development Plans for Transforming Communities towards Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Tourism (TouRIST) Program. The project will run from January to October 2020.
The TouRIST Program aims to identify and prioritize the essential infrastructure for sustainable tourism within the framework of updated or duly formulated Local Tourism Infrastructure Development Plans. The project has seven sites: Palawan (Coron, El Nido), Davao (Davao City, Samal Island), Bohol, Siargao, and Siquijor.
On 9-13 March 2020, the Consultant Planning Team (CPT) held several consultative workshops to introduce the TouRIST Program to the stakeholders in the respective tourism development areas (TDAs) in Bohol, Siquijor, and Samal Islands and presented the condition of the sectors involved.
The workshops were part of the planning phase, which identified the needs, assets, constraints, and opportunities that need to be prioritized to maximize the potential of the selected tourism areas. The PCT gathered data, conducted key informant interviews (KIIs), and focus group discussions (FGDs) as part of the situation analysis.
The members of the PRIMEX team include Regina Billones (Land Use Planner), Luis Eleazar and Rafael Teston (Policy Experts), Alexis Fillone (Transport Specialist), Rene Cruz (Flood Management Expert), Bienvenido Sevilla (Water Supply, Sanitation and Sewage Expert), Andrelita Sto. Domingo (Environmental Expert), Alexander Flor and Rex Navarro (Communication and Public Participation Specialists), Joel Cruz (GIS and Database Specialist), and Randy Alampay (Tourism and Recreation Specialist).
cover photo: The Consultant Planning Team together with representatives of the local government units (LGUs) and various government offices and agencies in Bohol Island.