BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Tourism- Cordillera (DOT-CAR) spearheaded the launching and Memorandum of Agreement signing of Filipino Brand Service Excellence (FBSE) at the Ion Hotel last week. FBSE is a nationwide initiative to develop the tourism workforce that can provide world class quality services for tourists and visitors.
The signing of MOA was joined by National Government Agency representatives, Assistant Regional Director Ruperto Maribbay Jr. of DILG-CAR; George Lubin of DOLE-CAR; Ofelia Ducayag of DA-CAR; Atty. Jessie Balagot and Nasser Ibrahim of DOTr-CAR; and Engr. Rosito Tamayo of CAAP.
Representatives of several LGUs were also present to the signing, this includes Banaue Ifugao Mayor Joel Bungallon; Mountain Province Tourism Officer Roger Sacyaten; Sagada Municipal Tourism Officer Maria Teresa Abad; La Trinidad, Benguet Councilor Belmer Elis and Tourism Officer Valred Olsim; Baguio City Councilor Leah Fariñas and Roscoe Kalaw of the Ifugao provincial government.
For the private sector and academe, they were represented by Dean Jenelyn Magpatoc of the University of Baguio; Dean Michelle Mamaril of the University of Cordilleras; Dr. Joseph Delos Santos of the Cordillera Career Development College; Dr. Lee Majors Fajilan of Saint Louis University; Baguio Tourism Council Chairperson Gladys Vergara; Baguio Country CLub General Manager /HRAB chairperson Anthony De Leon; Christine Cua of the Manor and Crystal Camacho of the Forest Lodge.
DOT-CAR Regional Director Jovita Ganongan expressed her gratitude to the attendees as they showed support to the advocacies and programs of DOT-CAR. “It is always best for all tourism stakeholders to collaborate towards the achievement of a common vision” Ganongan stated.
She also highlighted the 24 FBSE trainings conducted across the region that produced 1,179 trained frontliners in tourism; the goal of DOT-CAR is to reach 7,000 trainees in the region of the Cordilleras.
Both public and private institutions are hoping that through upskilling the tourism frontliners can help the tourism and economic growth of the region. By Nicko Gatchalian