Tourism stakeholders undergo rigid eco training

KIDAPAWAN CITY -Some 30 mountaineering guides and tourism stakeholders completed on Monday a week-long training on eco-tourism and mangrove interpretation at Belmar Eco Park in Glan, Sarangani. Nelly Nita Dillera, Department of Tourism 12 regional director for the SOCCSKSARGEN region, said the training was only the second in the Philippines. SOCCSKSARGEN is composed of the provinces of North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Saranggani and the cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan, Koronadal, Tacurong and Gen. Santos.Most of the trainees were from Glan and Maasim towns in Sarangani Lebak and Kalamansig in Sultan Kudarat where mangrove eco-tourism potentials are high. The training was aimed at preparing the communities for the influx of tourists, both domestic and foreign, in areas in Region 12 considered rich in mangrove forests and other marine resources. The 7-day rigid capability building was implemented by the DOT-12 in partnership with the region’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources.