Loren bats for responsible eco-tourism

TAGUM CITY (Oct. 26, 2007) -- Senator Loren Legarda vowed today to promote responsible ecological and cultural tourism which guards against environmental despoliation while protecting the rights and welfare of indigenous Filipinos.

She warned that while tourism has become an engine for progress in developing countries like the Philippines, it has also become an excuse for government and businesses to marginalize tribal groups.

"This is where we, as leaders in government and in the tourism industry, must be more careful and considerate, by placing a high regard for their honor and dignity," said Loren in her speech during the Cultural Tourism Forum.

"They are, after all, our own brothers and sisters," she stressed.

Loren said that in this region alone, more than 2.5 million people belong to native groups such as the B'laan, Bagobo, Mandaya, T'boli and Tagakaolo.

While many of these groups proudly show their remarkable customs and traditions, as well as their products and crafts, many of them have paid a high price for tourism, she pointed out.

An adopted princess of the Marawi Sultanate, Loren said that as part of her crusade, she would carefully study and help fine-tune Senate Bill No. 1381 or the proposed Philippine Tourism Act of 2007.

The pending bill aims to introduce reforms in the tourism industry to uplift the standards of tourism services in the country and to develop existing and new tourism destinations in the Philippines.

She cited the need to incorporate into the bill provisions that would protect the environment and tribal Filipinos, especially in the 17 protected areas all over the country identified by the Department of Tourism as suitable eco-tourism sites.

"As we are reminded of the great task before us, I offer my whole-hearted support and assistance to each and every one of you," she said. "As I have always been your steadfast partner in the Senate, I shall espouse the issues that will be further discussed here in today's forum."

Loren told the forum that figures provided the Senate indicated that tourist arrivals last year went up to 2.84 million from 2.62 million in 2005, with 3.1 million tourist arrivals expected for this year.

Last year, revenues from international tourism receipts in the country hit P135 billion, she said.

However, the Philippines ranks only 86th among 124 countries and 12th among Asian nations in global travel and tourism competitiveness," Loren said, citing the latest World Economic Forum report.

"Our capabilities to become more competitive in travel and tourism have yet to be fully realized. Therein lies, therefore, the challenge for all of us to unite and consolidate our efforts our tourism imperatives," she said.