Siquijor attractions showcased at Philippine Travel Mart

By Rizalie A. Calibo

SIQUIJOR, Aug 14 (PIA) -- Siquijor province participated in the 23rd Philippine Travel Mart in a bid to boost the local tourism industry held at the SMX Convention Center Mall of Asia Complex on August 10-12. It is the premiere and biggest annual travel show in the country. 

Siquijor Provincial Tourism Officer Jossette Armirola said Siquijor has been a regular participant to the annual event because it has been proven to be beneficial to the province’s tourism industry. "Visitors to the Siquijor booth said they love Siquijor and want to go back to the island," she said. 

She said tourist arrival in the province has been increasing every year. “Staying tourists alone (tourist spending at least overnight in the province) totaled to 18,964 from January to June, already near to reaching the whole of last year’s arrival of 26,212. 

The 23rd Philippine Travel Mart launched some of the latest tour programs in the country in partnership with the Department of Tourism and the Philippine Tourism Authority, including Philippine Island Fun Caravan Getaways and the Sale Ng Bayan. 

Philippine travel industry has launched the slogan “Its more fun in the Philippines,“ with regions in the country offering the most diversified products, sports adventure, ecotours, heritage, culinary, folklore, leisure and shopping. Apart from this, Filipinos are known to be very hospitable to foreign visitors making them feel wanted and important. 

With the tourist arrivals in the Philippines exceeding the 3.2 million for the year 2011, the Department of Tourism is even more optimistic that tourist arrivals will reach the ten-million mark in the next five years. 

The Philippine Travel Mart is organized by the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA). It is the biggest and longest running travel trade exhibition dedicated to the promotion and marketing of inbound and domestic tourism, Armirola said. (RMN/RAC-PIA7 Siquijor)

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Siquijor province intensifies advocacy on organic agriculture

By Rizalie A. Calibo

SIQUIJOR, Aug 14 (PIA) -- The Provincial Organic Agriculture Board and the Provincial Technical Working Group are intensifying its advocacy efforts on organic agriculture down to the municipal and barangay levels, following the province’s adoption of Republic Act 10068 otherwise known as Organic Agriculture in April this year. 

A series of information caravan was conducted last week in three schools and three local government units in the towns of San Juan, Siquijor and Enrique Villanueva. 

Similar information caravans were also conducted in three other municipalities and schools of Larena, Maria and Lazi last June and July. 

The infocar aims to bring to the locals information relative to the implementation of RA 10068 with discussions and lectures on organic farming and climate change, health and wellness and practical urban gardening among others and encouraged them to adopt organic agriculture in their municipalities and barangays. 

Organic farming and climate change was discussed by Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Teodorico Barral, health and wellness by Pamela Ida Dominguez, nutrition officer of the Integrated provincial Health Office (IPHO) and Urban Gardening by retired DA 7 crops division chief Jorge Paculba. 

RA 10068 was discussed by Agricultural Provincial Coordinating Officer Bernadette Bunado, also the organic agriculture focal person. 

It must be noted that President Benigno S. Aquino Jr. himself acknowledged that organic agriculture has the potential to increase farm productivity and farmers’ wages, thus, provide food for all. 

Through organic agriculture, farmers are ensured of cumulative conditioning and enriching the fertility of the soil. It reduces pollution and destruction of the environment, prevents depletion of natural resources and further protects the health of farmers, consumers and the general public, he said. (rac/PIA-Siquijor/)