SILAGO, Southern Leyte — The small town of Silago has achieved notable recognition in the Tourism Champions Challenge (TCC) 2024, securing third place among entries from the Visayas region. This recognition marks it as the only area in Eastern Visayas to receive an accolade in this prestigious national competition aimed at promoting sustainable tourism.
According to Philippines News Agency, Silago competed against 98 cities and towns across the Philippines, including first-class towns and larger cities. "Despite our modest resources and being a fourth-class municipality, we achieved third place, which fills me with immense pride," Honor expressed in a phone interview. The award was presented by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
Silago’s entry, titled 'Silago Ridge to Reef Eco-Experience Project: Promoting Sustainability through Eco-Heritage Tourism,' impressed judges with its commitment to environmental and cultural preservation. In recognition of their efforts, the town received a PHP10 million grant from the DOT and an additional PHP5 million from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).
The funds awarded will be directed towards the construction of a new museum and visitor center in Silago. The museum is planned to feature a significant local artifact, the bones of a sperm whale that washed up on the shores of Mercedes village in 2001, weighing an estimated 41,000 kilograms and measuring between 65 to 70 feet.
DOT Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes congratulated the town for its success and highlighted the broader goals of the TCC. "We hope that this achievement of Silago will inspire local governments in the region to propose sustainable tourism projects and compete in the 2nd Tourism Champions Challenge," Tiopes stated. She also outlined the DOT’s initiative launched in April 2023, which encourages local governments to submit innovative tourism infrastructure projects that enhance sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience in tourism development.
This strategic focus by the DOT aims to enrich local destinations and communities while providing added economic opportunities across the nation.