TABUK CITY, Kalinga – This city achieved a milestone with regard to its tourism program after bagging a pair of grand awards in the ‘17th ATOP-DOT Pearl Awards’ at the Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay City on Thursday, Oct. 27.

Tabuk City was adjudged best in tourism event and in community-based tourism campaign, and was second-runner-up in Bountiful Harvest in the competition participated in by 160 entries from various cities, municipalities, and provinces across the nation.
Mayor Darwin Estranero, with the personnel of the Office of City Tourism and Cultural Affairs headed by City Tourism Officer Arlene Ethel Odiem, received the Grand Champion awards for the following entries: “2nd Matagoan Invitational Enhanced Cultural Street Dance Parade, Battle of the Champions,” and “Kumustahang Turismo sa mga Barangay.”
Tabuk City placed second runner-up for the Inandila Festival 2019 event.
Odiem said the awards serve as a national promotion for Tabuk City’s tourism.
“What we have achieved is an inspiration for us to do more for the people of Tabuk in terms of promoting our tourism. This is a cooperative effort of all the people working behind this initiative, not only the local government unit but also the whole people of Tabuk City,” said Odiem.
The ATOP-DOT Pearl Awards are given annually by the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines and the Department of Tourism to recognize outstanding efforts made by people in the tourism industry, particularly local government units, in maintaining their respective cultural histories.