INTRODUCTION
One-and-a-half
years since the concept paper on the development of Banton as an ecocutourism
destination amongst a group of concerned Bantoanon leaders, the project
was finally launched. Now it is time to assess our progress as well
as the shortcomings that has hampered us from attaining our goals.
MARKETING, PROMOTIONS & INFORMATION
The Marketing
& Information group has put up the Yagting Internet Discussion
Group as early as June last year which has sixty-five (65) subscribers.
More than being a major channel of disseminating information, the
discussion group serves as the venue for brainstorming of ideas and
solicitation of financial support.
Press releases
were issued on a monthly basis to the Sanrokan Newsmag, a website
maintained by RDL-CLEAR. This is in addition to the regular updates
posted in the discussion groups.
On October 5,
a general assembly was held at the Export Bank Plaza in Buendia where
the general development framework and the strategic action plans of
each of the six groups of committees were presented. A representative
was sent to Banton on two (2) occasions, one in December and another
in January to conduct an information campaign regarding the Banton
2003 project.
In partnership
with the people behind the publication of Silak and the Ugat-Faigao
Museum and Library, it has successfully conducted the qualifying round
of the second edition of Pasilakan.
T-shirts promoting
Banton were produced and sold at costs as early as February to help
in the promotion. A meeting with the leaders of KABALI was also held
in Lipa.
At the back of
the tickets for the Banton 2003 Raffle, the schedule of activities
was printed as part of the promotion campaign.
We also published
in advance the schedule of the April - May activities as well as the
schedule of trips to Banton from Lucena, Batangas, Mindoro, Romblon
and Calatrava. Finally, we have produced the Banton 2003 Souvenir
Program, April - May edition, covering the following major events:
Balik-Pamilyang Bantoanon, 85th Founding Anniversary of the Municipality
of Banton and the Mayflower Festival. The special souvenir program
of the Balik-Banton International Edition is also lined up for publication
in the last week of May.
In a few months
time, we hope to be able to launch our much-awaited website. Efforts
have been started to be able to produce the Banton Tourism Booklet
in full color. We also intend to take advantage of future gatherings
of Bantoanons to inform the Bantoanons of the progress of the project.
SITE DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS
Through the Yagting
Discussion Group, potential tourist sites were identified. Before
the start of the year, the rules for the Best Tourist Site contest
were released. Each barangay was requested to adopt and develop a
tourist site. The response from the barangays were very positive.
Thanks to the effort of the Municipal Government. The first, second
and third prizes were set at P 25,000.00, P 15,000.00 and P 10,000.00
respectively. The 4th to 13th placers shall receive P 3,000.00 consolation
prize each. Special prizes of P 5,000.00 each were allocated for the
best historical / cultural site, the best park / playground and the
best leisure site.
INITIATION AND COORDINATION OF ACTIVITIES
The result of
Banton 2003 efforts so far in this area is summarized by the schedule
of activities for April and May that we have released. We exerted
efforts to convince organizations and other groups to conduct activities
in the municipality. The major ones are as follows:
1. Romblon Discussion List - Cultural, Livelihood and Educational
Assistance for Romblon (RDL-CLEAR) which is initiating a week-long
string of activities towards the end of May
2. Fonte-Chua Clan who is sponsoring a table tennis tournament with
open participation
3. Purok Arlim which is sponsoring the Makopa Cup (Women Volleyball
Open)
4. Team Trek Banton which is spearheading the organized hiking and
camping during the launching
We have also closely
coordinated with the Executive Committee of the Balik-Pamilyang Bantoanon
and effectively served as its partner in coordinating, promoting and
raising funds for the celebration.
We have plugged
in the Banton 2003 Calendar other major activities: Lenten Basketball
Tourney (BNHS Class '93), Balik-Mainit, Balik-Togong and the commemoration
of the 25th Founding Anniversary of the Tungonan Barangay High School
now Tungonan National High School.
Finally, we have
initiated the following activities: Banton 2003 Launching Activities
- Bugsayan, Rayaganan, Tukaran and Pasilakan; Mayflower Festival (Turnohan)
and the Women Basketball Open. Prizes for the best turno as well as
the best flower offering of the day are being dangled to ensure the
success of these activities. Prizes and citations were also put up
for the most participative barangays.
Before the end
of May, we hope to be able to produce the next set of calendar of
activities for the next three months. Contest for the celebration
of barangay fiesta with the best tourist participation is also being
mulled.
FINANCES
We have launched
the following fund-raising activities that also served as promotions
for the project:
1. Banton 2003
Card. This is basically a donation-solicitation effort. Donors are
issued the Banton 2003 card that also serves as discount cards to
participating Bantoanon business outlets and Banton 2003 souvenir
items for sale. So far, the card is honored at The Ugat-Faigao Museum
and Library Novelty Store, the Discount Network Store, the Discount
Network VCD Rentals and Rayab.com Computer Café. Donors were
classified either as volunteers, sponsors or patrons for donors whose
donation is less than P 500.00, at least P 500.00 but not more than
P 1,500.00, or at least P 1,500.00 respectively.
2. Banton 2003
Yuletide Basketball Tournament & Raffle.
This tournament
was jointly sponsored by BHS Class 88 and Class 90 with the latter
taking the lead. Eight teams participated in the tournament. They
are as follows: Hot Spring, Greenhorns, Fonte-Chua, Candelaria, San
Isidro, Jazzers, Uncle Mac and Cruisers, the last three bagging third,
second and first places respectively. The activity netted out around
P 10,000.00.
3. Banton 2003
Valentine Party. A valentine fund-raising party was held on February
15, 2003 at the Urban Bank Plaza in Makati City. The affair was sponsored
by BHS alumni batches 1990 to 2002 with Class 1990 as the lead group.
The affair netted out P 20,000.00.
4. Direct Solicitation
for Prizes. Officers and volunteers for the project also sought sponsorship
of prizes for the contest from benevolent Bantoanons, focusing on
young professionals. Depending on the amount donated, the donors were
given the Banton 2003 card as a show of appreciation.
5. Yearbook -
Ads and Sale. We expect some earnings from the publication of the
Banton 2003 Yearbook and the Balik-Banton International Edition Souvenir
Program and Directory.
6. Banton 2003
Raffle. To augment funds needed for the activities, another raffle
is slated on the final day of the Balik-Pamilyang Bantoanon festivities.
As was originally
planned, fund raising efforts will continue throughout the year. We
hope to be able to hold once more a regular dance ball starting June
which will also serve as the venue for the Marketing, Information
and Promotions Group to give Bantoanons a report on the April-May
activities and general update on the project.
ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION
Regular communications
were sent to the Office of the Mayor as well as the Sangguniang Bayan.
We have printed evaluation sheets for tourist and Bantoanons visiting
the island to get their feedback.
SERVICES AND ACCREDITATION
Efforts were exerted
for an orderly transport service. We coordinated trips to and from
Banton and issued travel advisories from time to time in the Internet
as well as through text-messaging.
We have successfully
launched a contest for the production of a native delicacy through
the benevolent sponsorship of Nic Musico. The contest was made not
only for visitors to have something to take home but also for the
winners to have an added source of livelihood.
PERSONAL EVALUATION AND CONCERNS
I guess, we have
made substantial accomplishments. Still, benchmarking from our original
plans, we fell short in some areas but we will be exerting efforts
to take the necessary actions to catch up. Some of the major concerns
are as follows:
Organization.
Until now, even the committee memberships have not been completed.
Members of the Executive Committee had a hard time filling up the
slots. There seems to be a thin pool of Bantoanon leaders who are
willing to assume the added responsibility. There could be three reasons.
One, they do not share the vision. Potential leaders and movers are
too busy to take on a project of this magnitude. Third, we must admit,
could be attributed to our own leadership and organizational capabilities.
There are also a few Bantoanon organizations that are active and the
few that are active extended their cold hands.
We are banking
on the success of the April-May festivities to be able to show fellow
Bantoanons what the project is all about and what we intend to achieve.
Efforts are exhausted to ensure the success of the April-May activities.
Once the idea sinks into the hearts of our town mates, we are still
very positive that one by one, they will finally wholeheartedly support
the project. The information campaign is also ongoing. We should realize
that it might really tike time for us to learn and embrace the tourism
culture we are trying to espouse.
Services and Accreditation. In this area, we must admit that we have
made a very little headway. We have not moved in our accreditation
efforts. Our vision of an orderly and convenient transport system
remained in the drawing board. Our plans of a board and lodging system
remained plans although some efforts are being done for the Department
of Tourism Regional Office to conduct a seminar on tourism with focus
on the alternative board and lodging system.
Site Development
and Environmental Concerns. Because of the active participation of
Barangays, this is among the areas where we made great success. The
concern now is maintenance and upgrading. Other than making the evaluation
period to determine the winners for the Site Development Contest longer
(from April 1 to December 31), we are exerting efforts to ensure the
viability of the sites.
The Committee
will also begin its work on the signages to make Banton more tourist-friendly.
Marketing, Promotions
& Information. Other than coming up short in the launching of
a website, I believe we made good in this area. We have practically
covered all the promotional and informational needs of our target
market in this initial year. Depending on the pace of the tourism
development, I firmly believe that we won't have significant problems
in this area.
Initiation and
Coordination of Activities. So far, so good. This is a continuous
effort though and we hope we can maintain our momentum.
MESSAGE TO OUR KASIMANWAS
Mga kasimanwa,
we have seen Banton's tourism potential uncovered. There is no question
about it. We have achieved a lot towards the attainment of the objectives
of this project. There is no other way but to go on. The major concern
now before us is sustaining our efforts.
To my kasimanwas
in Banton who have taken active part in this project, we ask for patience.
The rewards may not come that easily. To fellow visiting Bantoanons,
we can help in this project by being conscious of the efforts being
done by our kasimanwas. Let us appreciate their efforts by making
use of the tourist facilities they have put up and seeing to it that
we pay "for service" rendered. Let us put in mind that the
viability of these efforts rests on its capacity to generate income
for those who are working for it.
The transport
and the retail and trade sectors have been the direct beneficiaries
so far in this effort. Let me appeal to owners and operators to "give
some earnings back" to the project so we can start to make this
project self-sustaining. Let us put in mind that we will earn more
if this project succeeds.
To fellow kasimanwas
outside of Banton who have not joined us, we are again knocking on
your doors. I know many of you have questions. We challenge you that
instead of asking those questions, be part of giving an answer to
those questions.
Finally, let me
dwell a trait we Bantonaons are known for - mahigugmaon. This effort,
we believe, is all about paghigugma. Ikaw baga'y naghihigugma?
Masadyang bakasyon
sa tanan!
