BY: FAYETTE C. RIÑEn
CEBU CITY, March 14 (PIA) – Three
localities in northern Cebu hit by super typhoon Yolanda will be the recipients
of a community-based tourism program to be undertaken by the Cebu Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (CCCI) in partnership with a German international
foundation to help typhoon survivors get back on their feet.
Regan Rex King, one of the trustees and
the disaster coordinating committee head of the CCCI said the chamber
is in active negotiation with the AFOS Foundation for Entrepreneurial Development
Cooperation to embark on a program that aims to rehabilitate and rebuild the
local communities affected by Yolanda.
Hardest-hit Bantayan Island with its
three municipalities along with the town of San Remigio and the City of Bogo
are the identified recipients of the community-based tourism program, said King
during the recent press briefing that tackled the continuing rehabilitation
efforts of government agencies and other partners conducted by the Philippine
Information Agency-7 and the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Central Command.
“The chamber together with AFOS will
conduct focused group discussions with local officials in the identified areas
by the end of this month,” bared King.
King said they are looking at the GTZ
(gifts, toys and houseware) area where an initial assessment will be done in
the community level if they have the necessary skills to produce GTZ products.
But in case the people lack the necessary training, then they would be taught
the necessary skills, added King.
Once equipped with the skills to
produce the GTZ products, the CCCI will help in marketing the products through
linking the community with the chamber members for possible subcontracting,
said King. The CCCI has over 700 business-establishment members.
Another possible area they are looking
into is also the support of a shared facility like a processing plant, where
people would be hired; which will be one of the matters to be taken up in the
focused group discussions, said King.
King said the chamber is just helping
the AFOS foundation which will pour in the necessary financial assistance for
the undertaking.
“The chamber is always willing to help
and be part of the rehab efforts of government. But what is important is that
all sectors do their share in pitching in to assist in the rebuilding process.
This must be a concerted effort,” stressed King.
King said the chamber is also in the
initial stages of discussion with the Department of Trade and Industry and the
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) for a possible
undertaking of a project on green economic development in tourism.
GIZ has many projects being implemented in the country since the
1970s towards the promotion of economic, ecological and social development in
behalf of the German Government. (mbcn/PIA-7)