DOT-12 taps IP women to help tourism campaign

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The Department of Tourism (DOT) in Region 12 (Soccsksargen) has tapped women Indigenous Peoples (IPs) to heighten the promotion of the region’s rich culture and traditions.

Nelly Nita Dillera, DOT-12 director, said Thursday the new campaign aims to encourage the participation-- and highlight the efforts--of tribal women in the promotion of indigenous cultures.

Dubbed the “Comprehensive Partnership for Leadership and Empowerment through Tourism Entrepreneurship for Women” or Complete Women, Dillera said the initiative seeks to “espouse a systematic progression of women who can eventually organize, lead, or actively participate in the creation of (tourism) business activities.

It was launched during the DOT-12’s Sox Reunion, a gathering of tourism stakeholders in the region, which was held at the SM mall here on Tuesday.

A briefer said “Complete Women” aims to create entrepreneurial ecosystems by extending support and assistance in building the capabilities of women, including the removal of barriers that hampered their development.

The project seeks to upgrade the legal knowledge of the beneficiaries pertaining to women’s rights; strengthen women’s organization; protect women’s and children’s rights; promote professional development; and develop skills and entrepreneurship in tourism.

Dillera said the project is a convergence of local tourism stakeholders and government agencies that intends to highlight the region’s indigenous cultures, which is considered as one of Soccsksargen's assets.

“Women sustain and propagate the culture thus they should be given priority projects,” she said.

The pilot beneficiaries are community organizations and enterprises in Lake Sebu, Tboli, and Polomolok in South Cotabato; Malungon, Glan, and Kiamba in Sarangani; Kidapawan City and Magpet in North Cotabato, and this city.

Rictoniel Reginio, division chief of DTI-South Cotabato, said culture endures because women perpetuate traditional practices, crafts, arts, and performances.

However, Reginio said most women just stay home based on traditional practices.

Prior to its launching, Reginio said the project engaged national government agencies to assess the programs and activities that they can offer. They then conducted a series of consultations and dialogues with cultural community-based tourism (CCBT) stakeholders.

Reginio said they conducted planning sessions to match the programs of the concerned agencies with the CCBTs.

“These are focused on the strengthening of tourism promotion, transportation, food and accommodation, and destination activities,” he said.

Biya Narcisa Galgo, a member of the Tagakaulo tribe in Malungon town in Sarangani, said the project is a manifestation of the strengths of the women of different tribes.

Galgo said it shows that women are key players to the success of the youth and the tourism industry.

Jenita Eko, a Tboli of Lake Sebu in South Cotabato, said IP women are privileged to have their cultures highlighted through the project.

Eko said it would encourage IPs to produce their own products, as well as attract more tourists to visit their places.

“As a cultural worker, I believe that slight modification is necessary. We have to be open-minded. We are still preserving our culture but in the positioning of the products in the market, women play an important role,” she said. (Hajar Kabalu/PNA)