CEBU CITY, February 20 (PIA)—The first
#iBlog ecovoluntourism event, a multipurpose collaboration between
government, mainstream media and bloggers will be held in Bantayan Island
on February 21-23.
The event will cover
different areas the island has to offer but more so about the environment,
economics and tourism.
In store is also an
opportunity for the participants to do volunteer work--house build with the
beneficiaries of Gawad Kalinga at its site in barangay Ticad, Bantayan Island.
Philippine Information
Agency-Cebu Infocen manager Rachelle Nessia said, the event is
jointly coordinated with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR7) Municipality of Bantayan and the Cebu Bloggers.
Nessia said joining
the event are selected local media representatives and some members of the
Cebu Bloggers Society.
German travel blogger
Philipp Dukatz, known for his travel blog Escapology.eu is also in town to
join the event.
Initially, Bantayan
island was just a venue of the regular couch blog session of PIA-Cebu and
DENR where bloggers and media meet to discuss environment issues.
However, Bantayan
consultant Vince Escario said, they put in line other activities
which will discover and rediscover the island.
Activities in store
include resort hopping and a visit to the people’s organizations
involved in various trades such as candle making, hog raising, arts and crafts.
Then the group will do
volunteer work building houses alongside beneficiaries of GK.
They will also have a
chance to meet the members of the Bantayan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and
the local officials of the towns of Bantayan, Sta.Fe and Madridejos.
Bantayan was badly hit
during typhoon Yolanda more than a year ago. It is made up of three
municipalities Santa Fe, Bantayan and Madridejos.
(mbcn/FCC/PIA-Cebu)