PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur -- Honest residents can help a great deal in boosting the tourism industry of Dapitan City and Zamboanga del Norte in general.
This was according to Apple Marie Agolong, Dapitan City Tourism officer, as she lauded Santiago Sumalpong, a councilor in Barangay Guimputlan, who drives a tricycle to augment his income.
Agolong said Sumalpong found a cardholder containing cash and important documents along the road while driving tricycle Monday in downtown Dapitan City.
Agolong said Sumalpong rushed to the police station to surrender them and for the police to reach out to its owner.
“I am hoping that what Mr. Sumalpong did will be emulated by the front-liners of the local tourism industry, most especially the pedicab drivers,” she said Monday.
Agolong noted that tourism is one of Dapitan's primary economic drivers and that “it is but proper to promote and instill hospitality, helpfulness, cleanliness and most especially honesty to its constituents as part of the tourism culture promotion.”
Sumalpong called on residents, especially tricycle drivers, who face the same situation as him to immediately return any lost item.
“Be it of a little or big value the things you have found, you must return it so that the owner will not worry, especially Dapitan City is being flocked by tourists because it is a historical place and seems like a paradise,” Sumalpong said in the dialect. (PNA)
