BCWD PARTICIPATES TOURISM COUNCIL’S COORDINATION MEETING
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BCWD PARTICIPATES TOURISM COUNCIL’S COORDINATION MEETING
Butuan City Water District (BCWD) participated in the coordination meeting of the Butuan City Tourism Council on January 24, 2024 at the VCDU Prince Hotel Grand Convention Center in Villa Kananga, Butuan City. BCWD was represented by its general manager, Engr. John Michael Benito.
The meeting was conducted for the presentation of the 1st Tourism Code of Butuan City. The code is pursuant to Republic Act No. 9593, otherwise known as The Tourism Act of 2009. It was presented by Hon. Eduardo Gonzales, City Councilor and Chairman of the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s (SP) Committee on Tourism.
The new tourism code of Butuan is indeed a breakthrough in the development and improvement of the tourism industry in the city. It is important to have the tourism code as tourism is an agent of investment. This means the more tourism developments, the more influx of investments, and subsequently more tourists will come in. Thus, spurring economic activities as many jobs will be created and a lot of businesses, especially tourism related establishments, will thrive. The code, therefore, serves as an instrument in regulating the tourism industry.
The code provides for the establishment of the Butuan City Tourism Development Master Plan. As such, the code authorizes the hiring of consultants to formulate the master plan.
The code stipulates the specific regulatory provisions per type of tourism-related enterprises (TREs). The TREs to be regulated include the following:
1. Primary Tourism-Related Enterprises such as accommodation establishments, online or APP-based short-term rentals, and meetings, incentives, conventions and events (MICE).
2. Secondary Tourism-Related Enterprises such as dining establishments, floating establishments, and sports, amusement and recreational facilities.
3. Theme Parks and Carnival Operations.
The code also emphasizes tourism product development accessibility and promotions by expanding tourism access and improving tourism infrastructure, supporting product development, tourism promotions, establishing digital platforms, and providing incentives in the tourism industry.
All TREs shall comply with the provision of potable water in their area. This proviso in the code compels BCWD to actively play a vital role in the development of the tourism industry in Butuan City.
GM Benito of BCWD assured the full support of the water district to the implementation of the tourism code.
Last Update: February 08, 2024