ILOILO CITY – The Nagpana Minorities Association from the Ati indigenous peoples (IPs) tribe in Barotac Viejo town, Iloilo province has received a P200,000 livelihood aid from the Department of Tourism (DOT).
THE Department of Tourism turns over a P200,000 livelihood assistance to boost the community-based tourism of the Ati indigenous peoples tribe in Barotac Viejo town, Iloilo province. (DOT)
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“We would wish for nobody to be left behind,” said DOT Undersecretary Mae Elaine Bathanas as she explained the thrust of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco to equalize tourism development.
Almost 750 Atis are living in Sitio Nagpana, Barangay Lipata, which is both a cultural and natural tourist site. Among the tourist attraction there is the Nagpana Falls while the community has been one of Iloilo’s sources for coffee and native handicrafts.
The Tourism Industry Skills Program Assistance in Development Initiative (TISP-AID) provides training and other technical assistance.
“With the skills and training program, they can have additional opportunities and be able to be part of the growing and flourishing tourism industry of Iloilo,” said Bathan.
DOT-6 Director Crisanta Marlene Rodriguez said that the Ati community in Barotac Viejo was not the only beneficiaries of TISP-AID.
The DOT provided tour-guiding kits to 17 tour guides from world-famous Boracay Island, Guimaras Island, and the regional capital of Iloilo City.
Rodriguez said the kits seek to improve the skills of tour guides in imparting stories to both domestic and foreign tourists.