DUMAGUETE CITY, Sept. 22 (PNA) -– The local government unit of Dumaguete City, the capital of Negros Oriental, has been one of the official finalists for the 2015 ATOP-DOT Pearl Awards.
The 2015 ATOP-DOT Pearl Awards spearheaded by the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP)-Department of Tourism (DOT) is a means of giving recognition to the various people and Local Government Units that have greatly contributed in community development and sustainable tourism practices, a media release from the City Tourism Office said Tuesday.
The city of Dumaguete has been shortlisted for two award categories of the ATOP DOT Pearl Awards, namely: Best Tourism Month/ Week Celebration of the Philippines and Best Tourism Event (Sports Category) of the Philippines.
A group of four headed by City Tourism Officer, Woodrow Maquiling, Jr. headed for Manila on September 19 for the final screening at the University of the Philippines Asian Institute of Tourism at Diliman, Quezon City after having the said entries shortlisted by the panel of credible jurors.
Dumaguete City submitted the 1st Belfry Tourism Excellence Awards held September 27, 2014 as its official entry for the Best Tourism Month/Week Celebration of the Philippines; and the Balik Dulang Pinoy Pambata for the Best Tourism Event (Adventure/Sports Category) of the Philippines held in line with the City’s National Heritage Month Celebration last May 2014.
Among the many entries from various LGUs in the country, Dumaguete has been identified as one of the best in the two award categories having been boosted to the final level of screening.
During the said panel screening, the Dumaguete Team emphasized on the Mayor’s determination in elevating the tourism programs of the city with a strong alliance with the private sectors and tourism stakeholders, thus contributing to increased tourist arrivals in the city as well as the many recognition the city received in the national or global scene.
It is with high hope that Dumaguete be raised to the top and be hailed the recipient of such awards.
City Tourism Officer, Woodrow Maquiling Jr., was quoted as having expressed his appreciation to the strong support received from City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria, recognizing the great contribution of the tourism industry in the community.
“We also thank our partners in the industry, the Sidlakang Negros Association of Tourism Officers, the Provincial Tourism Office of Negros Oriental and the Tourism Educator’s Council of Negros Oriental who contributed enormously to the success of our endeavors”, Maquiling was further quoted as saying in the media release. (PNA)