The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), together with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), is currently undertaking the “Formulation of Tourism Infrastructure Development Plans in Top Tourist Destinations in the Philippines Based on Their Carrying Capacities” under the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 NEDA- administered Project Development and Other Related Studies (PDRS) Fund. The Joint Venture (JV) of Test Consultants, Inc. (TCI) and Woodfields Consultants, Inc. (WCI) emerged as the winning bidder for this project.
The said project focuses on the master planning of (1) Baler in Aurora; (2) Malapascua Island in Cebu; (3) Guimaras Province; and (4) Cuatros Islas in Leyte.
These identified tourist destinations within priority clusters have strong potential and were prioritized in the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP 2016-2022) formulated by the Department of Tourism (DOT).
To bring about the development of the four (4) key areas, TIEZA and NEDA, along with representatives of TCI and WCI, held several kick off meetings and stakeholders’ consultation last June and July 2019. The Cuatros Islas in Leyte, considering its restrictions within the protected area, had its Special Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) Meeting and Stakeholders Consultation last 12 July 2019 in Inopacan, Leyte.
Site assessments were conducted by TIEZA, NEDA and the consultants to evaluate the existing conditions of the sites in terms of its physical, economic, socio-cultural, environmental, and tourism factors to prepare the necessary infrastructure plans.
The objective is to determine the carrying capacities of the 4 destinations to ensure the safety and feasibility of the potential development projects, and maintain its integrity, competitiveness, security, and resiliency from disasters. This is just the start in the series of deliverables which aims to pave the way for a sustainable tourism development and enhance the tourism potential of the identified sites.
TIEZA and NEDA Committee during the kick-off meeting and stakeholders consultation of Guimaras
Island last 13 June 2019 held in Nueva Valencia, Province of Guimaras.
TIEZA and NEDA Committee during the Special PAMB meeting and stakeholders consultation of Cuatro Islas
last 12 July 2019 held in Inopacan, Leyte.
TIEZA and NEDA Committee during the kick-off meeting and stakeholders consultation of Baler
last 26 July 2019 held in Baler, Aurora.
TIEZA and NEDA Committee during the kick-off meeting and stakeholders consultation of
Malapascua Island, Cebu last 26 July 2019 held in Daanbantayan, Cebu.