Victorias City wins grant for birdwatching site

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

The City of Victorias has successfully secured a significant cash grant totaling PHP13 million to enhance the Gawahon Ecopark as a birdwatching destination. This development was announced following the city’s participation in the nationwide Tourism Champions Challenge (TCC) hosted by the Department of Tourism (DOT), where Victorias City emerged as the sole winner from Negros Occidental.

Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez expressed his gratitude on Tuesday towards President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., DOT Secretary Christina Frasco, and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid for their roles in facilitating the TCC. He highlighted the importance of promoting biodiversity, conservation, and sustainability at the Gawahon Ecopark, aiming to establish it as a leading tourism destination.

Victorias City’s project, titled “A Birder’s Paradise: Haven for Sustainable and Inclusive Eco-Tourism,” was awarded fourth place among the top five local government units (LGUs) in the Visayas region, making it one of the 15 selected proposals nationwide. The project is designed to develop a birdwatching site within the Gawahon Ecopark. This development is expected to not only provide a habitat conducive to various bird species but also to offer improved amenities and infrastructure tailored to birdwatching activities.

The initiative is part of a broader effort by the DOT to foster environmental conservation and community development through sustainable tourism. The Gawahon Ecopark is poised to serve as a sanctuary for endangered species and a model of sustainable tourism that benefits the local community.

The TCC was established as a transformative initiative aimed at encouraging local chief executives and mayors to leverage their unique local resources to enhance the Philippine tourism experience. The challenge evaluated project proposals based on several criteria, including resiliency, inclusivity, sustainable development, relevance to the theme, impact on tourism, economic and financial viability, sustainability mechanisms, and presentation quality.

Supported by TIEZA, the challenge aims to foster outstanding tourism projects that strengthen local capabilities and elevate the Philippines’ profile on the international tourism stage. This initiative reflects the DOT’s commitment to promoting nationwide tourism development and enhancing the quality of tourist experiences across the country.

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