A Case Study in

PA 17

(Special Topic for PA)

ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN TOURISM DEVELOPMENT: A PATH

TOWARDS EXPANDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES

Submitted to:

GLENNE B. LAGURA, DPA

Instructor

Submitted by:

JULIEAN T. AKIATAN
Student

DAVAO DEL NORTE STATE COLLEGE

Institute of Management, Governance and Continuing Studies (IMaGoCS)
Bachelor of Public Administration
APRIL 2018

1
 INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

In global context, there has been growing recognition to tourism as it

emerged as one of the leading service industries in recent decades (Ekanayake

and Long, 2012)1. It also plays an imperative part in expanding economic

opportunities in different countries. In the Philippines, the share of Tourism

Direct Gross Value Added (TDGVA) to total Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

comprised 8.6 percent amounting to 1, 243.5 billion pesos which was computed

having 12.3 % annual growth as of 2016 (Philippine Statistics Authority, 2017)2.

Tourism development eventually led to economic development as many

parts of the country have been developed through it. The creation of alternative

source of income and social livelihood among local economies has generated

foreign exchange which contributed to the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

of the country. It is also seen as collaborative effort of the people, local

authorities, private sectors and central government to harmonize the intent of

economic stability and security through expanding the path for bigger and

greater economic opportunities.

In addition, the Philippine government considered tourism as an engine of

investment, employment, growth and national development which fuels the

1 Ekanayake, E.M. and Long, A. (2012). Tourism Development and Economic Growth in Developing
Countries. Retrieved January 14, 2018 from ftp://ftp.repec.org/opt/ReDIF/RePEc/ibf/ijbfre/ijbfr-v6n1-
2012/IJBFR-V6N1-2012-5.pdf
2 Philippine Statistics Authority (2017). Contribution of Tourism to the Economy is 8.6 Percent in 2016.

Retrieved January 14, 2018 from https://psa.gov.ph/tourism-satellite-accounts-press-releases

2
government to continuously look for ways to achieve its developmental objectives

pursuant to the Republic Act 9593 also known as the “Tourism Act of 2009”.

One of the objectives of the said act is to develop a national tourism action plan

and work for its adoption and implementation not just in national but also

among local governments (Official Gazette, 2009)3. Moreover, the National

Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2016-2022 of the Philippines was crafted

based on the long-term vision of the national government dubbed as “AmBisyon

Natin 2040”. Presented below in Table 1 are the development agenda under the

long-term vision and the counter-agenda indicated in the NTDP 2016-2022.

Table 1. AmBisyon Natin 2040 and National Tourism Development Plan4

National Tourism Development Plan 2016-

AmBisyon Natin 2040
2022
 Transport Infrastructure Development
 Travel facilitation
Expand and increase  Tourism Investments and business
economic opportunities environment
 Product development
 Expanded marketing plan
 MSME Development in Tourism
Reduce vulnerability of
 Gender and Women Empowerment
the poor
 Risks and Crises Management Programs
 Human resource capacity and service
Accelerate human capital standards
 Initiatives in embracing quality standards
Ensure ecological
 Environment and Climate Change Adaptation
integrity
Promote cultural
 Cultural Offerings
diversity

3 Official Gazette (2009). Republic Act No. 9593. Retrieved January 14, 2018 from
http://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2009/05/12/republic-act-no-9593-s-2009/
4 National Tourism Development Plan 2016-2022 (2017). Retrieved January 14, 2018 from

http://www.pagba.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/National-Tourism-Development-Plan-2016-
2022.pdf

3
 As the national government has been managing tourism developments, the

role of Local Government Units were then highlighted as they become active

partners of the national government in strengthening local tourism. Under

Section 37 of RA 9593 was the mandate to Local Government Units (LGUs) to

utilize its powers under Republic Act 7160 or the “Local Government Code of

1991” to ensure the preparation and implementation of the Local Tourism

Development Plan.

LGUs have great influence to the attainment of tourism development as

the planning and policy starts with it. The kind of strategy LGUs used in honing

the tourism development is very important which will eventually lead to

significant opportunities for economic development such as employment

prospects among its residents and increased in income of the locality.

Thus, it is necessary to establish a clear perspective about the role of the

local government in the success of the national goals towards sustainable

tourism development. This research undertaking will help the local government

facilitate its local tourism development by knowing their current practices,

identifying challenges, sharing strategies and establishing its future direction

from tourism development to economic development.

4
Objectives of the Study

In general, the objective of this study is to know the roles of the Local

Government Units in Local Tourism Development towards achieving economic

stability and security for the local communities. Within this broad theme, specific

objectives of this undertaking are the following:

 Determine the practices of the Local Government Unit in terms of Local

Tourism Development

 Identify the challenges faced by Local Government Unit in order to

minimize threats

 Know the strategies applied by Local Government Unit in overcoming

challenges

 Define the vision of the Local Government Unit for future direction

Significance of the Study

This study is intended to know the roles performed by the Local

Government Units in Local Tourism Development which paves the way to

expanding the economic opportunities of the locality. Also, the challenges,

overcoming strategies used and vision were inquired. The results of the study

served as the bases for the enhancement of Local Tourism Development Plan,

programs, projects and initiatives. Moreover, the possible outcome of the study

is beneficiary to the following:

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 Local Government Tourism Council. The results of the study will help

the Local Government Tourism Council to evaluate its current practices,

strengthen the positive practices and enhance the areas where it is weak in the

implementation of the Local Tourism Development Plan and to make it clear to

them their place in the achievement of such plan.

Local Government Unit. The results of the study will serve as basis of the

city officials and legislators for programs or initiatives to capacitate the Local

Government Tourism Council to improve the implementation of its plans.

Other Local Government Units. The results of the study will give insights

to other local government units on the experiences, challenges and overcoming

strategies in handling situation and cases of juvenile delinquency.

National Agencies. The results of the study will serve as reference of

concern national lined agencies focusing on tourism development.

Future Researchers. This study will serve as the basis for future studies

related to the subject matter.

Scope and Delimitation

The study was limited only to the roles performed by the Local Government

Unit of the Province of Davao del Norte in the implementation of the Local

Tourism Development Plan, programs, projects and initiatives as well as the

challenges encountered, overcoming strategies and visions and

recommendations.

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 Moreover, the study used convenience sampling method and has only one

(1) informant. It only focused on the tourism council of the Province of Davao del

Norte and cannot be used as a general perspective in terms of the roles performed

by all LGUs in tourism development.

7
 METHODOLOGY

This section contains research design, research locale, research

participants, research instrument, data collection procedures, data recording

procedure and data analysis procedures.

Research Design

The study aimed to undergo an in-depth understanding on the roles

performed by the Local Government Unit in Local Tourism Development. It also

aim to know the challenges, overcoming strategies used and vision of the Local

Government along with the mandate of the national government provided in RA

9593. In doing an in-depth understanding, a qualitative study was then

employed. According to Qualitative Research Consultants Association (2018)5, a

qualitative research reveal a target audience’s range of behavior and perceptions

in a certain topics or issues.

The strategic inquiry that will be used is case study. A case study is defined

by Research Methodology (2017)6 as an inquiry used to analyze certain issues

within the boundaries of a specific environment, situation or organization. The

method that will be conducted in gathering the data is a Key Informants

5 Qualitative Research Consultants Association (2018). What is Qualitative Research? Retrieved January
14, 2018 from http://www.qrca.org/?page=whatisqualresearch
6 Research Methodology (2017). Case Studies. Retrieved January 14, 2018 from https://research-

methodology.net/research-methods/qualitative-research/case-studies/

8
Interview (KII). KII will be participated by the selected members of the Local

Government Tourism Council.

The study utilized both primary and secondary data. Primary data was

collected through the Key Informants Interview conducted by the researcher.

Secondary data were the government publications, websites, journal articles and

the Provincial Annual Report 2017 of the Province of Davao del Norte used in

this study.

Research Locale

The study was conducted in the Province of Davao del Norte. It is situated

at the southeastern part of Region XI, bounded by Agusan del Sur on the North,

Bukidnon on the Northeast, Davao City on the West, Davao Gulf on the South

and the Province of Compostela Valley on the East. It is a first class province in

terms of income classification. It comprises three (3) cities (1 first class, 1 third

class and 1 fourth class) and eight (8) municipalities (4 first class, 2 second class

and 2 fourth class)7.

7 National Economic and Development Authority (2018). Retrieved January 14, 2018 from
http://nro11.neda.gov.ph/davao-region/davao-del-norte/

9
 Figure 1. Location Map of the Province of Davao del Norte

Research Participants

Convenience sampling method was utilized in this study. According to

Research Methodology (2018) it is a specific type of non-probability

sampling method which only rely from the population members who are

conveniently available to participate in study8. The study was participated by

one regular tourism officer with minimum of five (5) years’ experience in service

from the Local Tourism Council of the Province of Davao del Norte.

8 Research Methodology (2018). Convenience Sampling. Retrieved April 27, 2018 from
https://research-methodology.net

10
Research Instrument

The researcher drafted an interview guide questions for Key Informants

Interview. The interview guide question were to the informant prior to the

conduct of the interview. The interview and moderator guide questions used an

open-ended questions. In the formulation of the research questions, the

researcher reviewed some related literature to come up and identify common

dimensions applicable. In the interview proper, the informant was informed that

the question that will be asked are not all found in the guide since there will be

probing questions or follow-up questions that may arise or “snow ball” until the

data saturation will be achieved.

Data Collection Procedures

In obtaining the needed data for the study, after being equipped with the

interview guide, first, a written approval or communication letter from the

instructor was secured for the Local Government Unit of the Province of Davao

del Norte. Second, the researcher visited Provincial Administrator’s Office-

Tourism where the Local Tourism Council was under to schedule an

appointment based on the availability of the informant. Next, the necessary

materials such as audio recorder, pen and paper were prepared. Moreover, the

researchers conducted the interview proper in the respective office during the

scheduled time.

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 The informant also underwent orientation about the purpose of the study.

After that was the securing of approval from the informants for audio-recording

during the interview, however, assurance of informant’s identity will be given for

the final transcription to be more convenient and open for discussion. During

the interview proper, the researchers will record it through audio recorder. The

interview will be conversational in nature so informant will not hesitate to give

honest and accurate answers.

Data Analysis

The study aims to develop key themes on the roles performed the Local

Government Unit of the Province of Davao del Norte in tourism development. The

qualitative data gathered was analyzed through inductive analysis. Inductive

analysis process are: (1) condensing the raw data into a brief summary format;

(2) establishing the link between the research objectives from the summary and

(3) developing a model or theory evident in the data (Thomas, 2003)9.

The data recorded was transcribed in a verbatim way. Statements were

classified based on same ideas. Emerging themes were also clustered and

analyzed. The researcher grouped the answers of the informant according to the

questions. Second, extracted the significant statements per question and per

dimension. Then, the researcher assigned codes that best describe these

9Thomas, R. (2003). A General Inductive Approach for Qualitative Data Analysis. Retrieved April
27, 2018 from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228620846_A_General_Inductive_Approach_for_Qu
alitative_DataAnalysis

12
significant statements. The researcher classified or categorized and identified

the emerging themes. The researcher came up with themes out from the

classified statements of the informant per question. Lastly, the researchers

analyzed the emergence of the theme supported by the gathered literature.

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 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

This section presents the results of the study concerning the dimensions

as queried in the informant in the Key Informants Interview conducted. The core

themes were presented accordingly based on the research objectives as follows:

Determine the practices of the Local Government Unit in terms of Local Tourism

Development, Identify the challenges faced by Local Government Unit in order to

minimize threats, Know the strategies applied by Local Government Unit in

overcoming challenges and Define the vision of the Local Government Unit for

future direction.

LGU as Key
Planner

Role of Local
LGU as Government in LGU as
Implementer Tourism Facilitator
Development

LGU as
Evaluator

Figure 2. Role of Local Government in Tourism Development

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THEME 1: LGU AS KEY PLANNER

Local Government Unit of Davao del Norte acted a key role in planning

the Local Tourism Master Plan of the province. It was enunciated they plan,

create, foresee and allocate the budget annually. There were four (4) cluster

themes generated in this emerging theme.

Plan the
Provincial
Local
Tourism
Master Plan

Foresee
Allocate possible
budget for opportunities
the Local and potential
Tourism LGU AS problem
Master Plan KEY
PLANNER

Create
annual
programs,
projects and
activities

Figure 3. LGU as Key Planner

Plan the Provincial Local Tourism Master Plan

During the Key Informants Interview the informant specified that the Local

Government Unit act as the key planner of the Local Tourism Development Plan.

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 Ako as one of the tourism officers, apil jud ko mismo sa pag
plano sa kung unsa man ang mga proyekto ug programa na ipa
implementar sa probinsya. Pero ang among plano mag base
man pud na sa National Tourism Development Plan ug sa
Region XI na NEDA. Kung unsa man ang naa sa NTDP ug
NEDA, mao to ang basehan para makabuhat mig plano diri sa
probinsaya. (I am one of the tourism officers and I am part
of planning on what projects and programs to implement
in the province. But our plan will be based on the National
Tourism Development Plan and National Economic and
Development Authority Region XI. What is in the NTDP
and NEDA, which will be the basis of our plan in the
province._KII 1)

Create annual programs, projects and activities

In light with the planning stage, the informant stated that the different

programs, projects and activities done annually in the province were crafted

within the provincial government

Ang mga programa ug poyekto diri sa probinsya sa matag tuig,

amoa na nang gina craft pag mag annual planning mi. Mas nindot
manang andam ta sa tanang panahon. (We craft the annual
programs and projects in the province during the annual
planning. It is better that we are always prepared._KII 1)

Foresee possible opportunities and potential problem

In order to make an effective plan for tourism development, local

government foresee the possible opportunities and potential problem. In doing

so, the targeted development will be achieved and the potential problem in the

future will be anticipated.

Dapat iforesee jud namo ang mga possible opportunities kay

pwede mana nato mahimong strength. Ang potential problem as
well kinahanglan kay pag na anticipate ta na, ma lessen nato ang
impact sa probinsya. (We should foresee the possible

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 opportunities because it could be our strength. The potential
problem as well to lessen its impact in the province._KII 1)

Allocate budget for the Local Tourism Master Plan

As the key planner, LGUs were given the chance to allocate budget given

to them based on their goals, objectives and targets. As stated by the informant:

Sa among level, usahay maglisod mi kay nagbase lang man

pud mi sa budget na gihatag sa national government. Kung
magplano mi, ihaom gyud namo sa kung pila ang budget dili
kay kung maski unsa lang ang gusto. (At our level,
sometimes we have difficulties because we just base our
budget on the national government. During planning, we
follow what is stipulated not our own discretion._KII 1)

The Province of Davao del Norte allotted some Php1.4 million for the

tourism site development projects of most of LGUs. This is view of enhancing the

banner attractions to attract more visitors. Additionally, to improve the quality

of local festivals, the Provincial Government further provided Php 50, 000 to each

LGUs that celebrate their banner festivals, such as Kahayag Festival in Carmen,

Binulig Festival of Panabo City, and the Kalibulungan Festival of Talaingod.

The role of LGU as key planner was also emphasized in the Annual Report

2017 of the Province of Davao del Norte. The provincial government made sure

that the proposed tourism strategies are aligned with the national development

agenda. Cascading the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP), the Province

formulated the Provincial Tourism Master Plan (PTMP) that primarily aim to

sustainably manage tourism resources in attaining improved productivity,

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enhanced resiliency and equitable benefits for all. This is geared towards poverty

alleviation and inclusive growth10.

Government performed as key players in the process of formulation a

tourism development plan because it is their responsibility to provide necessary

conditions (Ruhanen, 2013 as cited by Rodrigues, Vieira, Fernandes and Pires,

2016)11. The future of the tourism development of the locality depends upon the

control to which LGUs exercised. LGUs are given discretion in a way that the

power and authority to make decisions was decentralized to them.

10 Annual Report (2017). Ulat ng Pagbabago. Retrieved April 11, 2018 from Provincial
Information, Communication and Knowledge Management Office.
11 Rodrigues, A., Vieira, I., Fernandes, D. and Pires, C. (2016). The role of local government

management of tourism in fostering residents’ support to sustainable tourism development:

evidence from a Portuguese historic town. Retrieved April 11, 2018 from
http://repositorio.ipv.pt/bitstream/10400.19/4192/1/IJTP060202%20RODRIGUES.pdf

18
THEME 2. LGU AS FACILITATOR

In this particular emerging themes, there were three (3) cluster themes

generated. It was articulated that the Local Government Unit of Davao del Norte

facilitate different programs, projects and activities, enable people to participate

and innovate change in the locality. These were elaborated in the succeeding

discussions.

Facilitate
local tourism
programs,
projects and
activities

LGU AS
FACILITATOR
Enable
Innovate people to
change to participate
occur within in tourism
the locality development
initiatives

Figure 4. LGU as Facilitator

Facilitate local tourism programs, projects and activities

LGU performed the role as facilitator of the different programs, projects

and activities specified in the Local Tourism Development Plan.

Based sa Provincial Tourism Master Plan naay mga roadshows

ug festivals. Ginamaintain pud namo ang mga tourism sites ug

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 naga explore mig markets. Daghan kaayog activities ang
probinsya. Ang local government naga take part ko sa
implementation sa mga programa ug proyekto kay everytime
naay mga activities, kami ang naga facilitate. Kami ang naga
execute sa among mga plano ug mas maayo na kay aron kami
mismo, makita namo kung unsa ka epektibo sa plano o kung
aduna bay angay na bag-ohon. (Based on the Provincial
Tourism Master Plan there are roadshows and festivals.
We are maintaining tourism sites and exploring markets.
The province has a lot of activities. The local government
is part in implementing programs and projects because
everytime there are activities, we are the facilitators. We
are already executing our plans and are better off since we
can see how effective the plan is or whether it should be
changed._KII 1)

Enable people to participate in tourism development initiatives

LGU enable and empower the citizens within their locality to participate

in the different tourism development activities. They gave the citizens trainings

and seminars to enable them to produce products and have source of income.

Ginabuhat namo among best para iapil ang Dabaonon sa

nagkalain-laing activities na ginaconduct within the province.
Pareha anang pasalubong center, ginahatagan nato sila ug
trainings ug seminars para makabalo sila ug buhat ug mga
produckto na pwede nila ibutang didto aron magka extra
income sila. Mag serve as livelihood nila. (We did our best to
include the Dabaonon people in different activities that
we conducted within the province. Just like the
pasalubong center, we gave them trainings and seminars
for them to produce their own products and have extra
income that will serve as their livelihood._KII 1)

Innovate change to occur within the locality

As time passes by, the world is getting demanding as to how societies

react to growing demands. Thus, the LGU of Davao del Norte continue to find

ways to innovate and meet these demands.

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 Nagapangita mig ways para maenhance ang mga programa
diri sa lokalidad. Naga innovate mi ug naga observe mi sa
palibot aron makabuhat mig mga bag-ong stratehiya aron
mapalambo pa ang tourismo sa probinsya. (We find ways to
enhance the program in the locality. We innovate and we
observe for us to create new strategies to enhance the
tourism of the province._KII 1)

According to International Council on Local Environmental Initiatives

(1999) the role of local government as facilitators in the development process is

reinforced through granting autonomy12. With the increased demand due to

globalization, the role performed by the local authorities continue to broaden and

transcending the national political and economic systems within the local level.

12International Council on Local Environmental Initiatives (1999). Sustainable Tourism: A Local

Authority Perspective. Retrieved April 11, 2018 from
https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/400iclei.pdf

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THEME 3. LGU AS EVALUATOR

LGU served as the evaluator of the programs, projects and activities that

they implemented. They are tasked to prepare an evaluation instrument to

assess its effectiveness. Evaluation is necessary in order to ensure whether the

program attain its developmental goals and make ways to better implement the

Local Tourism Master Plan.

Asses the
Prepare programs,
evaluation LGU AS
EVALUATOR projects
instrument and
activities

Figure 5. LGU as Evaluator

Asses the programs, projects and activities

Aside from being the key planner of the tourism development plan, LGUs

are also responsible in evaluating the implemented programs, projects and

activities within their locality. They are the one who prepare the evaluation

instrument and made the evaluation criteria based on their targets.

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 Kami pud ang naga evaluate sa effectiveness sa mga programa
ug proyekto. (We are the ones who evaluate the
effectiveness of programs and projects._KII 1)

Prepare evaluation instrument

As the in-charge of the evaluation of the programs, the LGU was tasked to

prepare an evaluation instrument to measure its effectivity and assess the overall

impact in the local community. This also paved the way for the LGU to address

the emerging problems generated out from the evaluation.

Kami ang nagabuhat sa evaluation instrument para ma assess

ang programs ug activities na gi implement. (We are the one
who make the evaluation instrument to assess the
programs and activities implemented._KII 1)

The importance of tourism evaluation was highlighted by many decision-

makers among different countries. The Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria was

widely used to evaluate the impacts of tourism on the local community (Solimar

International, 2018)13. Out from the evaluation, LGUs can establish a baseline

of the necessary undertakings that should be done to improve the current

situation of local tourism.

13Solimar International (2018). The Importance of Measuring Tourism Impacts. Retrieved April
11, 2018 from http://www.solimarinternational.com/resources-page/blog/item/185-the-
importance-of-measuring-tourism-impacts

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THEME 4. LGU AS IMPLEMENTER

The LGU of Davao del Norte not just only served as key planner but also

as implementer of the programs, projects and activities in the locality.

Lead the
enactment of
programs,
projects and
activities

LGU AS
IMPLEMENTER
Build
linkages to
Organize the other
implementation
of Local organization
Tourism PPAs to better
implement
programs

Figure 6. LGU as Implementer

Lead the enactment of programs, projects and activities

The crafted plans for programs, projects and activities relevant to local

tourism were implemented or executed by the LGUs. They performed primary

role in the implementation. As stated by the informants in the interview:

Sa pagkakaron, nag invest mi para sa human capital

development ug nag conduct mig skills training para kadtong
involved ma meet nila ang demand sa tourism industry ug
uban pang mga business. Nag explore mi sa possible markets.
Naa pud miy negosyo center sa matag munisipalidad ug
siyudad aron ang mga tao aduna silay laing source sa income.

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 (Currently, we invested in human capital development
and conducted training skills for those involved in
meeting the demands of the tourism industry and other
businesses. We explore the possible markets. We also have
negosyo center in every municipality and city so people
will have other sources of income._KII 1)

Build linkages to other organization to better implement programs

The LGU continue to build linkages among other organizations to become

their partners in the tourism development goal of the province. As enunciated by

the informant that:

Kami nagatap mi ug other organizations para makatabang pa

sa kung unsa man ang mga programa sa locality. Daghan man
pud nuon ang mga partners namo. (We tap other
organizations to help us in the programs implemented in
the community. We have many partners in this
endeavor._KII 1)

Organize the implementation of Local Tourism PPAs

The LGU was tasked to organize the implementation of PPAs stipulated in

the Local Tourism Master Plan.

Kami ang naga organize sa mga PPAs na indicated sa Local

Tourism Master Plan. Mao jud ni ang isa sa among mga roles.
(We are the one who organize the PPAs indicated in the
Local Tourism Development Plan. This is one of our
roles._KII 1)

The role as implementer was confirmed in the Annual Report 2017 of the

Province of Davao del Norte wherein it was specified that the province conducted

11 roadshows and participated in 12 tourism festivals, fairs and trade expos.

The LGU also produced the documentary and/or travelogue “Dan on the Go,”

25
which featured alluring destinations in the province. Moreover, the provincial

government developed four (4) new tourism sites, while maintaining three (3)

other attractions that are already established. And since, people are the lifeblood

of the industry, eight (8) tourism capability development activities to capacitate

stakeholders in the tourism sector were conducted.

The provincial government also conducted two (2) community validations

on cultural mapping. The LGU was engaged in marketing and promotions

activities, invested in human capital development and matched skills and

training to meet the demand of the tourism industry and related businesses. It

continued to seize opportunities for tourism development and expansion. It

further explored possible markets, redirecting the focus on where it can improve,

compete effectively and deliver best results.

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CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte continuously

make ways to enhance the Local Tourism Development of the locality. It is also

seen in this undertaking that the national government need to take time to

understand the conditions in municipalities, especially budgeting and planning

of the tourism plan. In addition, mechanisms for accessing funding and support

must be shared with all municipalities.

The areas should be identified where local government can intervene,

expand and improve on their tourism development capacity and how national

government can support this role. Capacitating local government to respond

effectively to the tourism sector needs to be a key priority of all levels of

government.

Conducting further study with regards to local tourism development is a

great step forward and a show of commitment to working together from all

stakeholders. This engagements will be fruitful and will have new ideas and

plans to implement going forward. Government should be committed in working

together to attain its goals in expanding economic opportunities through tourism

development.

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