GIGAQUIT ECO-TOURISM INDUSTRY (GTI)

Gigaquit Eco-Tourism Industry (GTI)
by: Capt. Mario Recentes

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Rationale

During the March meeting of GCC, one primary discussion was focused on the cultural heritage committee which has its goals to assist in the harnessing of resources and means in order to preserve, revive and display the rich culture of Gigaquit. One proposition was to demonstrate to the Filipno people in the country and worldwide the indigenous tradition and practices of Gigaquitnons. One member even commented that if others have their own Ati-atihan Festival and Flower celebrations, Gigaquit has even more of those. Thus, born the concept of Gigaquit Eco-Tourism Industry or GTI.


Introduction

With almost all provinces in the country today in a tight race to vie in the nationwide tourism caravans and cultural festivals spearheaded by the Department of Tourism, North Eastern Mindanao particularly the province of Surigao del Norte has put forward Siargao Island displaying its finest beaches and breaking waves. As a matter of fact, that move has given Surigao del Norte the label as the surfing capital of the Philippines – not to mention that it catapulted the province in the tourism map in the world. Along the coastal communities of Surigao province, lies a shy and old municipality that seems to be isolated from the rest of her contemporaries. Being polarized from the main road nets that connect Surigao del Norte with the rest of mainland cities, Gigaquit remains to be a community that can be epitomized as simple, culturally bonded and conservative. Its people’s religiosity is one main source of passion and bonding block that binds the people together. They believe that the place is sacred and blessed as they claimed that sometime in 1800’s their Patron Saint Augustine had sent punishing waves that tore down the sails and drown the attacking Moros. Although the people are not basically pure native of the place, continued inter-action has tempered the culture to be what can be called as the ‘neo-cultural’ development. Many attempts to ‘uplift’ the people’s living standard through utilization of its resources were launched and failed. It was as if the people had their own choice – that is to live peacefully and enjoying all the nature’s gift that are abound in the place. There may have few signs of and incidences of nature destruction as caused by human and natural calamities, those seem to be slightly comparable to the wrath experienced by others in different parts of the country. Amidst all those, still the people opt to live and maintain a harmonious and quiet life.

There is a trend in the highly urbanized worlds today that seem to condition the mind of their constituents to look back to where they come from. The exhaustion and irksome city routine has sparked a lot of stress on city drones that no amount of entertainment could at least lessen the effects. With some of the provinces on the verge of getting the feel of what is city life, Gigaquit envisions to stay calm and prepare its place to become one of the destinations of city-irked individuals – even for just a short period of time.

Although in the past there were attempts to cause havoc to Gigaquit vast natural resources, the people through the able directions of the present and past leaders declared victors in the end. What present Gigaquit humbly displays are well-maintained streets – kodus to the “Tapat-Ko Linis Ko”- like program, preserved Roa’s Mansion, the serene and beauteous Cagban Island, the Duot Beach, the sacred and historic Parish Church with the age-old bells that are much older than the Balangiga’s, the cool caves, the fine dishes and beverages which are typically pure Gigaquit, the educational institution that continue to achieve distinctions at par with the best in the country, the plaza and seal patios where people stroll with the great landscape of the Gigaquit beach, and most especially the religious celebrations and traditions as manifested by the ‘Jinawa’ and ‘Moro-moro’ festivals.

The GTI will be a pioneer program under the Gigaquit Civic Club (GCC) in close coordination with the Gigaquit LGU, the Gigaquit Parish, the educational institutions in the municipality, and some private individuals who believes in the vision of GCC which is to harness Gigaquit’s resources, support the developmental efforts of the LGU, and bond its people with good faith in God and the will to preserve its culture and values. The primary mover of GTI-GCC is the eco-friendly organization which shall promote the conservation and preservation of the natural resources of the place.


The Concept

GTI got its footings from the vision of Gigaquit municipality that considers attainment to development through utilization of its people and their values, harnessing the natural bounties of nature and competing to be the center of trade and industry in the region, while maintaining ecological balance, dealing with cultural diversities and extending link with the rest of the world through highly competitive and able computer technology. In this manner, GTI mainly focuses on harnessing the natural bounties of the place and at the same time develop tourism industry which will display pure Gigaquit culture and natural beauty with the aid of computer technology. Putting these into action, GTI will do a lot of activities which include organizing people, coordinating with government and non-government agencies, do some facelifts on current tourism sites, establish a system and program on travel, billeting facilities and security, identify cultural festival and eco-friendly activities which are indigenous to the place, and educate the people on the gains of GTI vis-à-vis the upgrading the living standard of the people and in return what attitudes they should show on the visitors. To sum these up, below are the Phases in which GTI program will be put into action:


Phase 1: Planning & Organization

a) Drafting the Blueprint of GTI

b) Organizing or tapping an existing organization/s that will become the main facilitator of GTI projects. The organization may be an eco-friendly cooperative. (Sample- Nagkahiusang Kabos alang sa Kauswagan (NAKASAKA)

c) Initial coordination with DOT on tourism links, PNP-DILG/Philippine Army on security, LGU on the use of community-owned building and coordination with officials assigned with Natural Resource development, NGOs, POs, Travel Agencies, the Gigaquit Parish re- Cagban Island (a possible MOA Signing), and other private individuals who can be part of the GTI program.

d) Coordination with GCC and GOL re- utilization of their resources for a wider scope of information dissemination. (Note: If GCC would have launched its initial tourism projects, see to it that GTI program is linked to those).

e) Crafting of activities which will exhibit the cultural heritage of Gigaquit and in line those with the present tourism and nature preservation efforts of the government, particularly with the DOT and DENR. Examples of which are: Jinawa and Minoros Festivals, ‘Gakit’ Adventure challenge with a Saving Gigaquit River Project theme, Dayo-dayo Festival, Gigaquit Rhum (GR) Festival, Mangrove Planting Activities, Save Duot Beach Project, Cagban Adventure Challenge and the likes.

f) Coordination with print media, as well as with local radio station and the Television stations and other privately owned-cable news networks.

g) The GCC, in support to GTI Program, will make announcements locally (thru print ads and local radios) and the GOL website on the ‘Bring Home a Friend’ Program.


Phase 2: Implementation & Assessment

a) With the system well laid down as planned, GTI thru the eco-friendly organization which was either organized or tapped will launch a Festival. Critical to this is the choice of what kind of festival to launch and the choicest part of the year wherein visitors can flock to Gigaquit.

b) Visitors come either coordinated or walk in:

- Coordinated (Visitors comes to Gigaquit in coordination with duly recognized Travel & Tours. Packages include 3-night stay at Gigaquit Hotel with all meals included. Tour package to different tourism areas of the place will be coordinated with local cooperative (NAKASAKA).

- Special (Visitors are considered ‘walk in’ visitors. Local cooperative will assist them accordingly. This includes billeting, transport, and others).

c) Leaflets and flyers bearing the GOL site (contact us) will be distributed for the guests’ comments and suggestions.

d) GCC will continuously observe the implementation and check the soonest all concerns that need immediate attention. Those concerns may fall under the following:

- Contact & arrangement (Information guides as presented in GOL and ads, Travel & tours package, Manila-Surigao-Gigaquit contacts, billeting contact & persons-in-charge with all the activities and tours.

- Services. (By Travel & Tours, Billeting, Tour guide, foods and transportation).

- Coordination (With LGU, Gigaquit Parish and Private individuals as to visit to Roa’s residence).

- Security (PNP & Philippine Army)

- Health concerns (Coordination with local DOH rep)

e) Others which the GTI-GCC will deem to be necessary.


Phase 3: Evaluation

a) The suggested is on quarterly basis. GTI-GCC and representative of the Local Cooperative will come up with an update of how the implementation has been through after three months.

b) Result of the evaluation will be institutionalized and proposed to the Local Cooperative and other stakeholders for updates in their system.

c) An end of the year evaluation is also recommended.


The Eco-Friendly Cooperative

The Mission

This cooperative is a multi-purpose cooperative that combines service, producer and consumers cooperative in one. The mission of the cooperative is to organize the Gigaquitnons, discover their talents, harness resources and gather them to arrive at one common goal- human and cultural development. Under this common goal are activities which are basic in developing organization: Billeting Services, Transport services, Educational and in-service Training, activities to preserve nature, activities to demonstrate tourism sites, display of rich cultural heritage, manufacture and sell of indigenous products, and practice of religious rites.


Organization

a) Must compose of Gigaquitnons by birth or by legal means

b) Must have its own name that is in-line with the preservation of nature, uphold of culture and development of Gigaquit people.

c) Must be on a voluntary basis, with no promise of revenues and remunerations due him/her. (However, when a certain level of organizational fund is met, the officers can make a proposal for the honorarium of individuals. Although the GCC may have no direct control over the Coop, they are entitled to receive copies of the proposal. Note: GCC, with due en banc resolution can make amendment/s to the organizational set-up and function of the Coop).

d) Proposed Coop Organization:

- General Assembly – composed of all the members and officials of the cooperative.

- Board of Directors – a total of 7 BODs will be elected by the General Assembly. Term: At least 2 years.

- Officers - The BODs will then elect from their ranks the Chairperson, Vice Chair, the Secretary and the Treasurer. Term: At least one year.

- Committees – Term: One year. Committees under the GA will be:

1) Committee on Training

2) Committee on Transportation

3) Committee on Cultural activities

4) Reception Committee

5) Food Services Committee

6) Media and Advertisement Committee

7) Accreditation Committee


- Barangay Representatives (one each barangay)

Functions of BOD & Committees: (To be determined by GCC & Board of Directors).

Links and Relationships

The Local Eco-Friendly Coop is under the Administrative Supervision of Gigaquit Civic Club. It can independently decide on its programs and proceeds of its revenues. All transactions shall be under the rule of transparency. The GCC, however, can amend the rules and organizational functions under its administrative authority over the latter. The coop takes mandate from LGU as regards its programs which are in line with those of the LGUs. This also applies to other stakeholders namely: Gigaquit Parish, Gigaquit Educational Institutions and other private institutions which are duly recognized by GCC. In most ways, the programs of those stakeholders supersede those of the coop. (Example: LGU- Town fiesta over tree planting activity in Baoy; Parish- Observance of Fasting over Food festival by coop; Educational Institutions- Final Exams of students – involvement in cultural dances festival).


The Proposed Activities

Jinawa and Minoros Festivals

These kinds of activities are indigenous and native to Gigaquitnons. If there are Dinagyang and Ati-atihan Festivals, Gigaquit can also have its own. Media mileage and colorful preparations are the necessary factors to make these events a success. One gauge to determine their success is a nationwide coverage and awareness of these festivals.

‘Gakit’ Adventure challenge with a Saving Gigaquit River Project theme

Adventure challenges with the survival themes are in the trend nowadays. Combining that with another ‘in’ undertaking, just like nature preservation: SAVE GIGAQUIT RIVER Project will surely get the attention of Earth lovers and those who also like adventure.


‘Dayo-dayo’ Festival

To quote what had been a good media exposē when GMA 7’s Mel Tiangco once include Gigaquit in her show that displayed Surigao’s finest dishes. ‘Dayo-dayo’ does not actually mean all of the dishes will be those kinds of shell, but a name or label to represent the indigenous dishes Gigaquitnons cook for the festival. These may include: of course ginataang dayo-dayo, crabs, pangat, shells, different way of preparing botong or young coconut, budbud, puto, bibingka ni Mana Iyay, tinambid ni Oya Ilik and others.


Gigaquit Rhum (GR) Festival

Another pure Gigaquit product is the Gigaquit Rhum. This will be the highlight of the festival. A duly institutionalized body will be the judge to determine the best GR in town. The festival, of course will showcase different products of Gigaquit such as baskets, woven materials, foods, furnitures, ornaments, and other products with Gigaquit labels. (Note: All of the presentations will be organized by the Local Cooperative, with slight tax to the coop fund as additional revenue for the organization).


Mangrove Planting Activities

This another eco-friendly activity calls for the media and GOL for the support. Awareness on the need for propagation of mangrove to save natural resources and regain natural habitat in Gigaquit river. The activity will also help protect Gigaquit mangrove areas against total destruction and step up campaign and preparations for upcoming natural disasters.


Save Duot Beach Project

This is in line with other eco-friendly activities aforementioned. Saving Duot Beach can be done in a short and long period of plans. Short lived plans can just focus on cleanliness and removal of hazards in the shore lines. Maintenance of peace and order in that area. The cooperative will be the precursor of the project that include cleanliness and building of uniform and state of the art indigenous shades made up of local materials such as nipa and local wood materials. The long-term plan can be done by the LGU with the Local Eco-Friendly Cooperative as the stakeholder. This would mean a wide coverage of awareness campaign thru media and GOL website, coordination with DENR, the DOT and lobbying with local and national officials. The main purpose of this project is to provide a safe and clean beach that can be at par with the rest of beaches in the country, so that local visitors and coming home Gigaquit sons and daughters will enjoy their stay at home.


Cagban Adventure Challenge

With due coordination with the Gigaquit Parish, an adventure challenge can re-inact how the ‘Moros’ were subdued by waves by the intercession of St. Augustine. As a result, able men (initially, but later will include women) will compete in a number of events which include triathlon competition: from Duot competing teams (of three each) will run to Poktoy, then swim their way to Cagban, then after reaching there, they will paddle their raft together back to Duot, where the awards committee awaits them for a simple ceremony with the special mention of St Augustine as the Patron Saint that is always on the side of Gigaquit folks. The prayer will start the event asking the Almighty for more bounties and protection from all nature and man-made disaster that will hit the place.


Timelines

Activities

1st month

2nd month

3rd month

Remarks

FIRST PASE

- Drafting of Blue print

- Final copy of BP

- Info Campaign

- Organizing or Tapping existing Organization

- Awareness

Training of Coop

- Coord with different agencies

- Fund Resourcing

- Trial Implementation


Activities

___ month

___ month

___ month

Remarks

FIRST TWO

- Planning of Festival Programs

- Info Campaign

- Coordinations

- Launching of 1st activity

- Feedback mechanism

- Assessment

- Adjustments

Activities

___ Qtr

___ Qtr

___ Yr

Remarks

3RD PHASE

- Evaluation
- Updates
- Year-end evaluation


Coop funds can be categorized into two: Internal and External. Internal fund shall come from the members themselves. Each will pay membership fee amounting to P500.00. This fund will form the initial revolving fund purely for the establishment of office and communication links. External funds will come from different donors from the government, non-government and those which can be acquired thru loans.

The coop by virtue of a resolution shall open a bank account in the name of the coop, itself.

Policies and Guidelines

1) On Membership and Office
- Membership pay – P500
- Voluntary membership
- Office of Coop shall be determined by the BOD.
- Number of members – not less than 15 individuals
- Term of BODs – 2 years
- Officers – 1 year
- Committees – 1 year

2) On Fund Acquisition & Management
- Two kinds of funds: Internal & external
- All decisions must be by majority
- Observe transparency
- Giving of honorarium thru a resolution cc. to GCC
- Percentage of fees on accreditation and sale of products to be determined by BOD as proposed by concerned Committees.
- Rentals and other service fees to be shouldered by coop funds
- Coop to remit commission fee to GCC/Travel Tours shall be on coordinated travel only.
- All local payments shall be done at the coop office.
- The coop must also maintain a bank account which shall be owned by the coop thru a Board Resolution.


3) On Billeting
- On-travel packaged visitors shall be charged by the coop as a fixed rate (Price for travel, billeting, meals and service charge)
- Walk in Visitors who will opt to avail of the billeting or the tour package only. Prices shall be determined by the coop.
- Coop will provide at leas one tour guide per group of visitors (One guide per 10 visitors)
- Billeting includes the ‘Adopt a visitor Program’ in which visitors are accommodated at member’s houses with discounted prices paid


4) On Transportation
- (Coordinated) Air is under package per Travel & tours. Local travel or by land travel will be coordinated with the Coop.
- (Walk in) Visitors shall take their own mode of transportation in going to the office. Once the visitor has logged in as guest, then the coop will take charge of all transportation needs of the guest, provided that those are within the agreed transactions.

5) On Cultural Activities
- The Coop Committee on Cultural (CCC) activities will program a list of activities for the next two years, which shall be institutionalized by the BOD.
- The CCC is responsible to all coordination needed for the activities
- Cultural and Competitive activities include the likes of Jinawa and Minoros festival, socio-religious festival, Adventure challenge, Eco-friendly activities etc.
- CCC shall be cooperative to activities initiated by stakeholders (LGUs, Church & School and other private individuals duly recognized by GCC)

6) On Religious Festival
- CCC will coordinate with the Parish on inclusion of programs/activities which have some religious implications.
- The Coop can also invite a Parish representative in the CCC, if possible. (The same goes to other stakeholders)

7) Travel Package
- GCC will initially coordinate with existing Tour and Travel Firms re- GTI programs
- GCC will link the Coop with the Tour & Travel Agents for further coordination. (In some cases, the GCC can check with the both the coop and the Travel & Tour firms to make sure the travel plan and package is well handled).

8) On Public Information/Advertisement
- Correct media by-lines must come from the GCC
- All members of the coop and the GCC shall be the main source of advertisement
- The GCC thru the GOL will publish all programs and activities of GTI.
- By all means the coop and the GCC will spread the good news by tri-media (print, broadcast and tv) to the local and international audience.

9) On Health and Sanitation
- All members are responsible for the cleanliness of all places under the program
- In coordination with the LGUs, members will help announce the need for a clean surrounding to maintain sanitation and attract visitors.
- Make sure that water and foods given or sold to visitors are clean.

10) On Safety and Social Norms
- Safety is every Gigaquitnon’s concern, however, every member of the coop shall help by all means to give the visitors their need for safe stay in gigaquit
- The coop thru the Safety Committee shall make MOAs with the PNP-DILG and the Philippine Army regarding this matter.
- The members shall uphold always to all Gigaquitnons the need for establishing good relationship with the visitors, and extend to them the usual hospitability we have been known for.
- The coop thru the BOD shall make a resolution to be submitted to the Municipal council on the proper decorum needed in welcoming visitors to Gigaquit.

11) On Accreditation of Consumer Products & Mementos
- The Committee on Accreditation shall provide the BOD and GCC with the list of accredited individuals and groups recognized by the coop.
- Individuals and group accreditation includes:
a) Transportation (land and water)
b) Food Services
c) Billeting Services (Gigaquit Hotel & selected members transient houses)
d) Souvenir items
e) Grocery and cell phone items
f) Security personnel
g) Maids, cooks & errand boys
h) Others, to be determined by both GCC & Coop.



Proposed Travel & Tours

(Source: DOT)

Avian Travel & Tours Inc.Quezon Tel No: (632) 911-3963/912-9991E-mail: avian_travel@yahoo.com

Bay Area Travel & ToursQuezon CityTel No: (632) 929-9102/926-6899/924-6270 E-mail: mailto:jopestaño@hotmail.com

CCT 168 Travel & Tours Tel No: (632) 687-0129/633-4856/637-9611/631-3505E-mail: cct168aurora@pacific.net.phCordym Tours & Travel, Inc. Makati City Tel No: (632) 812-2610 to 11E-mail: cordymtours@yahoo.com.ph

Cosmopolitan Travel & ToursQuezon CityTel No: (632) 454-2683 / 456-5579 E-mail: cosmopolitan1997@yahoo.com

The Flightshop Travel & Tours Makati City Tel No: (632)813-1951/813-8742E-mail: tours@flightshop-ph.com

Islands Travel & Tours Malate, ManilaTel No: (632) 536-8826 / 536-8830 / 536-8833E-mail: islands@surfshop.net.pherlinda_t@philtoa.ph

Pan Pacific Travel Corp.Ermita, Manila Tel No: (632) 525-5611 to 15E-mail: inbpanpacrsrvn@skyinet.net mailto:rdee@skyinet.net

Viajes Filipinas, Inc. Tel No: (632) 527-0529/ 527-4087

Originally posted by Steve Egay at http://gigaquitnons.ning.com/