The plan aimed to assess the potential of Barangay San Miguel in Echague, Isabela, for sustainable community-based tourism in the new and next normal. It also determined the current situation of the barangay, specifically its community-based tourism industry development, analyzed different related issues, constraints, and opportunities of the barangay for community-based tourism industry development, assessed the perspectives and views of different stakeholders on the sustainability and development of the barangay鈥檚 tourism resources, assessed tourism development impacts, specifically on the barangay鈥檚 economic, socio-cultural, and environmental aspects, and developed a sustainable community-based tourism strategic development framework and sustainability indicators for Barangay San Miguel, Echague, Isabela.

The Office of Hon. Faustino 鈥淚nno鈥� A. Dy V of the 6^th District of Isabela initiated the project and was supported by the Municipal Government of Echague, Isabela. The turnover activity was conducted at the Blessed Jane of Aza Lounge, Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. Building.

Mr. Louie Simbe, the Municipal Tourism, Culture, and Arts Officer of the Municipality, and Ms. Claire Santiago, the Political Affairs Assistant under the Office of Cong. Inno officially received the plan. Officials from the DOST NRCP also attended the event. It was headed by Dr. Aimee Lynn Barrion-Dupo (President) and Dr. Bernardo N. Sepeda (Executive Director). While RCSSEd was represented by its Director, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jeremaiah M. Opiniano.

#TeamKomunidad of the UST CTHM and Sentro Turismo spearheaded the project under the leadership of Asst. Prof. Jame Monren T. Mercado, MACHS, with the team members, Asst. Prof. Dr. Avi Ben P. Andalecio, Dr. Fhamela F. Sarmiento, Asst. Prof. Maria Concepcion A. Ang, Assistant Dean Assoc. Prof. Dr. Evangeline E. Timbang, and Dean Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atty. Gezzez Giezi G. Granado.

The plan was an output of the project entitled 鈥淪ustainable Community-based Tourism Potential and Development of Barangay San Miguel, Echague, Isabela in the New/Next Normal.鈥� The project was also part of the 1^st batch of the Policy-funded Research Projects under the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

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The project is in partnership with the City Government, represented by its Mayor, Hon. Lucy Torres-Gomez, Hon. Richard I. Gomez, DPA (Congressman, 4^th District of Leyte), the members of the Sanggunian Panlungsod Committee on Tourism, Culture, Heritage, and the Arts, the City Tourism Council, and the Ormoc City Tourism Office. At the same time, the 探花精选 was represented by the Assistant Dean of the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Evangeline E. Timbang, and the members of the project team.

Mayor Torres-Gomez pointed out during her Message of Appreciation that the plan will provide them with significant measures for conceptualizing their programs and projects for the sustainable tourism development of the city. It also allowed the government to be aware of the current negative situations in the Ormoc Tourism Industry that it must address. After the output presentation, the Sanggunian Committee approved the Resolution adopting the plan.

The project team was headed by its Project Director, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atty. Gezzez Giezi G. Granado, together with its members, Asst. Prof. Jame Monren T. Mercado (Project Coordinator and Writer/Researcher), Asst. Prof. Maria Concepcion A. Ang (Writer/Researcher), Dr. Fhamela F. Sarmiento (Writer/Researcher), Mr. Wyett White T. Lee (Writer/Researcher), Mr. Alec P. Bagcus (Writer/Researcher), Ms. Andrea Nicole D. Hernandez (Research Assistant), and Mr. Allan B. Bundang (Graphic Artist).

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UST REFI was awarded the grant by the Gerry Roxas Foundation (GRF) and the Philippine office of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for the project titled 鈥淪iquijor Island Conservation and Restoration: Toward a Regenerative Ecotourism Destination鈥�.

This action research project was among 11 recipients of grants from GRF鈥檚 program called INSPIRE or Investing in Sustainable Partnerships for Inclusive Growth and Regenerative Ecosystems.

Looking at both seascapes and landscapes, the project aims to ensure that the island鈥檚 natural ecosystems 鈥渨ill be conserved and restored, leading to a sustainable and regenerative Siquijor Island鈥�. For 2.5 years, this action research project hopes to aid Siquijor鈥檚 collaborative governance efforts on environmental protection, environmental conservation education, and achieving community-based sustainable livelihood.

The project seeks to empower Siquijor鈥檚 provincial and municipal governments to regulate the use of trees and medicinal plants, curb illegal and unregulated fishing activities, encourage tourism development, reduce solid and liquid wastes, and control freshwater consumption. These efforts contribute to the vision of making Siquijor a 鈥渮ero-waste island鈥�.

A team from REFI will spearhead the project, led by Executive Director Fr. Maximo Gatela, O.P. and Technical Team Leader Dr. Moises Norman Garcia of the College of Science. Team members include Dr. Maria Rosario Virginia Cobar-Garcia (Science), Dr. Arlen Ancheta and Dr. Alain Jomarie Santos (both from the Faculty of Arts and Letters), as well as Asst. Prof. Arnold Distor and Asst. Prof. Racquel Layco (Science).

Dr. Ancheta, Dr. Cobar-Garcia, Dr. Garcia, and Asst. Prof. Layco had done studies on the zero-waste island concept, covering solid waste management, energy efficiency, food and water, and sustainable use of natural resources. These previous studies were conducted for a global advocacy group, the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), under the auspices of the Research Center for Social Sciences and Education (or RCSSED, UST鈥檚 social sciences research arm).

According to team leader Dr. Moises Norman Garcia, the previous studies and the current INSPIRE-funded project will capitalize on 鈥渆nvironmental advocacy to counter climate change and [take inspiration from] Pope Francis鈥檚 encyclical Laudato S铆.鈥�

This INSPIRE-funded project contributes to climate change action, says this full professor of Biological Sciences, by directly aligning the project to some of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.

UST REFI formalized its receipt of the INSPIRE grants during a May 22 grants awarding ceremony at the National Museum of Natural History, with the US Ambassador to the Philippines, Her Excellency Mary Kay L. Carlson, gracing the event.

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The project aimed to assess the potential and development of the Barangay and its related stakeholders on sustainable community-based tourism. It was funded by the Department of Science and Technology 鈥� National Research Council of the Philippines (DOST NRCP) through the initiative of the House of Representatives Office of Hon. Faustino 鈥淚nno鈥� A. Dy V of the 6^th District of Isabela.

During the Policy Forum, Congressman Inno Dy V, who is also the Chair of the House Committee on Bases Conversion, shared the significance of sustainable tourism development to uplift the way of life of the local community and their related stakeholders in the municipality and even through its district and nearby provinces. The plan will provide them with a strategic and evidence-based approach to mechanizing their programs and projects for tourism development and resource conservation. 

After the research forum, Congressman Inno graced a ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the 探花精选 and the Municipal Government of Echague, Isabela. The MOA signified the strong relationship between the two parties, specifically on implementing the DOST NRCP Policy Funded Research Project. LGU Echague was represented by Hon. Francis Faustino 鈥淜iko鈥� A. Dy (Municipal Mayor), Hon. Allan P. Tupong, MD (Municipal Vice Mayor), the Members of the Sanggunian Bayan, and Mr. Louie C. Simbe (Municipal Tourism, Culture and Arts Officer).

#TeamKomunidad is headed by Inst. Jame Monren T. Mercado, MACHS of RCSSEd, CTHM, and UST Sentro Turismo. He was joined by the project team members, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atty. Gezzez Giezi G. Granado (Dean), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Evangeline E. Timbang (Assistant Dean), Asst. Prof. Maria Concepcion A. Ang, Dr. Avi Ben P. Andalecio, and Dr. Fhamela F. Sarmiento. They were assisted by Inst. Danilo P. Bustillos II (Department of Hospitality Management) and Ms. Andrea Nicole D. Hernandez (CTHM Alumna Batch 2019).

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Department of Tourism Management Chair Asst. Prof. Jane G. Devenadera, MSTM, CHE, CGSP noted that the hub, a new chapter for both CTHM and the University, will be a niche for sharing and exchange of ideas in line with its purpose. 鈥淎ng pagbuo sa UST Sentro Turismo sa CTHM ay isang yugto, isang antas, isang pagbabago sa aming kolehiyo na magsisilbing lugar upang bumuo ng pangarap, pananaliksik, partnership, at marami pang iba,鈥� Devenadera said.

In her message, Regional Director of Department of Tourism 鈥� NCR Ms. Sharlene Zabala-Batin noted that the hub not only unlocks the potential of Thomasian students, but it can also serve as an instrument that further shapes the tourism industry not just in NCR but in the whole country.

CTHM Research Innovation and Extension Services Coordinator and Research Center for Social Sciences and Education researcher Mr. Jame Monren T. Mercado, MACHS highlighted that the hub is envisioned to empower local communities by sharing their knowledge and expertise. Mercado also laid down the three theoretical frameworks that molded its concept: educational approach, developmental approach, and ethical approach.

鈥淸UST Sentro Turismo] sustainably promotes significance of academe industry and government partnership collaboration through business and innovation and extension services, which is aligned to our Dominican Values.鈥� Mercado said.

Threefold functions

With its threefold functions of research, teaching and learning, and extension services, the new Sentro Turismo 鈥渟ustainably promotes the significance of academe-industry-government partnership and collaboration through business and innovation, research and extension services development aligned in the Dominican ethical and moral virtues.鈥� According to the 厂别苍迟谤辞鈥檚 Coordinator Jame Monren T. Mercado, MACHS, 鈥渢he UST Sentro Turismo envisions to be the lead promoter and implementor of industry and governance-related curriculum development by providing tourism and hospitality outcomes-based programs and projects that could sustainably benefit and provide economic, socio-cultural, environmental, and politico-administrative impacts to different primary and secondary stakeholders.鈥�

The three hubs of the Sentro

The Sentro is comprised of three hubs, namely: 1) Business and Innovation, 2) Research, and 3) Extension Services. 

For business and innovation, the Sentro will provide services pertaining to travel and tourism with its Travel Bureau, Tour Guiding courses, and Ushering activities. It will likewise house the Philippine Gastronomy Unit for the different studies and projects pertaining to Philippine cuisines. In coordination with the UST TomasInno Center, private firms can avail of consultancy services of the Sentro.

Studies on tourism and hospitality will be coordinated by the Research hub, which will liaise with the University鈥檚 research units led by the Office of the Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation. Among the projects in the pipeline are the Philippine International Tourism and Hospitality Research Conference and a research journal.

For extension services, the expertise of the College will be provided to various external partners through capacity-building opportunities, speaking engagements, and memberships. A key partner of the Sentro is the UST Graduate School Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Tropics, led by Director Eric B. Zerrudo, PhD, who pioneered and rolled out cultural mapping projects all over the country in coordination with various local government units and institutions.

The new Sentro is managed by the CTHM鈥檚 Research, Innovation, and Extension Services Committee, currently led by Coordinator Jame Monren T. Mercado, MACHS. He is joined by Assistant Coordinator Avi Ben P. Andalecio, PhD, Academic Staff Associates for External Affairs Alec P. Bagtus, MSTDM, Academic Staff Associate for Internal Affairs Lizette A. Vicente-Villaflor, MSTHM and Catherine C. Mondejar, MSTHM, Events Coordinator Karl R. Baroro, MBA, and Academic Staff Associates for Events Wyett White T. Lee, MSc and Elijah J. Coronado.

Attending the event are University and CTHM officials, led by the Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation fr. Jannel N. Abogado, O.P., DTPS, CTHM Dean Gezzez Giezi G. Granado, DCL, and CTHM Regent fr. Roland D. Mactal, O.P., SThD. External partners included the Department of Tourism – NCR鈥檚 Dir. Sharlene Zabala-Batin and Mr. Ernesto Batin, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority鈥檚 DDG Vidal D. Villanueva III and Mr. Rodger Patrice M. Castillo, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority鈥檚 Ms. Irene R. Tumaon , Philippine Retirement Authority鈥檚 Ms. Ma. Alexia Melegrito, Intramuros Administration鈥檚 Mr. John Arcilla, National Museum鈥檚 Ms. Reinelle S. Rogel, National Library of the Philippines鈥檚 Ms. Melanie A. Ramirez, Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino Chairman Arthur P. Casanova, PhD, and local executives Mayor Francis Faustino A. Dy (Echague, Isabela), Mayor Edgon T. Sombilon (San Jose, Romblon).

Industry partners from various associations were also present, such as Philippine Tour Operators Association 1st Vice-President Mary Ann F. Ong, Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines National Treasurer Jocelyn Abuan, Council of Hotel and Restaurant Educators of the Philippines Director Rudie Cabardo, and Association of Administrators in Hospitality, Hotel and Restaurant Management Educational Institutions President Lilibeth Aragon.

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Gino-gino’s study concentrated on revitalizing the selected Southeast Asia鈥檚 UNESCO Marine World
Heritage Sites through Sustainable Tourism. The study evaluated the current state of developmental plans and assessed challenges and opportunities for preservation, emphasizing the importance of integrating sustainability into tourism policies.

Apart from being a venue to disseminate research outputs, the training seminar aimed to assist educational institutions in strengthening and building their capacity, enhancing collaboration with other organizations, and disseminating research papers and journals. This initiative is envisioned to create a more profound culture of research and encourage the production of more academic research that tackles the issues confronting the tourism industry and allows the formulation of strategic business and policy frameworks. Recognizing that tourism is now a major pillar driving economic growth, increasing knowledge on research and consequently developing quality research outputs have become a paramount concern.

In the same event, RTC recognized the 探花精选’s efforts in conducting the training seminar. The recognition was accepted by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Evangeline E. Timbang, the Assistant Dean of
the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, and Inst. Jame Monren T. Mercado, MACHS, CTHM
RIES Coordinator.

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During the training, two major cultural frameworks were introduced by Dr. Eric B. Zerrudo, CCCPET Director and training facilitator. The first lecture focused on the design and dignification of creative industries, well aligned with this year鈥檚 theme 鈥淐reative Governance is Good Governance鈥�. The second lecture delved into cultural development planning, a forward-looking activity that defines culture and its context to impact on sustainable development.

The training also featured select case studies of different Local Government Units鈥� (LGUs) best practices on culture-based governance. These were demonstrated in Iloilo City Creative Governance presented by Ms. Junel Ann Divinagracia, Iloilo City Tourism Officer and Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippine incoming President; in Bi帽an City鈥檚 Cultural Program delivered by Dr. Bryan Jason Borja, Bi帽an City Tourism and Cultural Affairs Officer; and in Echague鈥檚 Municipality Cultural Development Program  by Mr. Louie Simbe, Municipal Tourism Officer.

The experiences of the World Heritage City of Vigan, forerunner of culture-based governance in the country, was also shared by its former Mayor Eva Marie S. Medina. The highlight of the training was the Spark Culture presentation of Samar Province鈥檚 Governor Sharee Ann Tan. She sincerely narrated how her administration endeavored to change the negative image of Samar Province to address the problems on insurgency, disaster, and poverty. As a highpoint, she impressed the importance of conducting cultural mapping program, to move forward and to know how to deal these problems in a culturally sensitive governance landscape. Both the cultural mapping programs of the Heritage City of Vigan and the Province of Samar were conducted by USTGS-CCCPET.

The face-to-face training gathered around 200 participants from the academe, local officials, tourism and cultural officers, artists club and organizations from different parts of the country.

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The theme, Tourism and Hospitality Academe-Government Collaboration towards Sustainable Development, directly highlights the significance of academe-government partnership and collaboration in developing sustainable plans and programs for the tourism and hospitality industry and its related stakeholders.

Dr. Reil G. Cruz, Associate Professor from the Asian Institute of Tourism of the University of the Philippines Diliman, was the Plenary Speaker for the virtual event and shared on the current academe-government collaboration in the tourism and hospitality industry. Also, different academic staff from CTHM served as the Members of the Panel of Discussants who shared their experiences on research projects with local government units.

Asst. Prof. Fredeswindo R. Medina, MCHS, CHE, CGSP, shared his group鈥檚 experiences on the Municipality of Maragondon, Cavite Natural and Cultural Heritage Mapping Project. Mr. Arnulfo Ricardo A. Butiong, MMC (Tourism Management) and Ms. Kathrine Camille A. Nagal, MBA (Hospitality Management) shared the project outcomes and their experiences during the conceptualization of the Davao City Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Expositions (MICE) Strategic Management Plan 2022-2026. Lastly, Assoc. Prof. Atty. Gezzez Giezi G. Granado, DCL, CHE, shared their project output and experiences while conceptualizing the Samar Island Natural Park (SINP) Sustainable Tourism and Strategic Development Plan 2022-2031.

Photo Opportunity with the Plenary Speaker and Panel of Discussants

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Kulinarya Silangan is a food mapping documentation on the six provinces of Eastern Visayas, namely, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, and Southern Leyte. Eastern Visayas food mapping serves as a major campaign in the region. It will focus on three strands of Eastern Visayan foods such as dishes (pagkaon), rice cakes (suman), and sweets (tinam-isan). The objectives are as follows:

1. To identify and document the distinct dishes (pagka-on), rice cakes (suman), and sweets (tinam-isan) of the region
2. To develop a data base of metanarratives that will facilitate research and studies on food anthropology and functional disciplines such as health, agriculture, tourism, education, product development, and others;
3. To conduct a series of the seminar, workshops, and writeshop on food documentation; and 
4. To formulate a tourism campaign program for food destinations, food routes, food landscapes, and seascapes.

This is the latest of many engagements that UST has with Region VIII. UST is also assisting in the nomination of the Samar Island Natural Park as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is conducting a flora and fauna study for the area, among other engagements.

The 探花精选 team was led by Rev. Fr. Louie R. Coronel, O.P., EHL (Secretary-General) as the official representative of the University鈥檚 Rector, the Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., Ph.D. The team is also joined by Rev. Fr. Roland D. Mactal, O.P., SThD (Regent, College of Tourism and Hospitality Management), Assoc. Prof. Atty. Dr. Gezzez Giezi G. Granado (Dean, College of Tourism and Hospitality Management), Prof. Dr. Michael Anthony C. Vasco (Dean, The Graduate School), and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eric B. Zerrudo (Director, Graduate School 鈥� Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Tropics). Meanwhile, the DOT RO8 was represented by Dir. Karina Rosa Santiago-Tiopes, CESO III (Regional Director).

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With the agreement, UST will perform the onsite and digital documentation and safekeeping and ensure the accessibility of data to potential researchers approved by ATOP, as well as concerned local government units.

The 探花精选 team was led by Secretary-General Rev. Fr. Louie R. Coronel, O.P., EHL as the official representative of the Rector, the Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., PhD. He was joined by CTHM Regent Rev. Fr. Roland D. Mactal, O.P., SThD, CTHM Dean Assoc. Prof. Atty. Dr. Gezzez Giezi G. Granado, Graduate School Dean Prof. Dr. Michael Anthony C. Vasco, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eric B. Zerrudo (Director, Graduate School 鈥� Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Tropics).

ATOP was represented by Mr. Arwin Paul A. Lingat (National President and City Tourism Officer, City Government of Mabalacat, Pampanga) and Ms. Jomelyn M. Abuan (National Secretary-General and Municipal Tourism Officer, Municipal Government of Montalban (Rodriguez), Rizal). They were also accompanied by Atty. Jose Maria Cesar C. San Pedro (Regional Representative, Region 3 and the Provincial Tourism Officer, Provincial Government of Nueva Ecija), Atty. Jeffrey C. Saclot (Regional Representative, Region 10 and the Provincial Tourism Officer, Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental), Mr. Edwin B. Guinto (Secretary for Luzon and the Supervising Tourism Operations Officer, City Government of Bacoor, Cavite), and Mr. Charlie Dungo (Regional Representative, NCR and the Officer-in-charge, Department of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Manila, City Government of Manila).

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