8/3/2019 DOT MEDIA RELEASE (02/17/12) - DOT Supports Oslob's Community-Based Whale Watching Tour Product

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dot-media-release-021712-dot-supports-oslobs-community-based-whale 1/2

MEDIA RELEASE

17 February 2012

DOT Supports Oslob’s Community-Based Whale Watching Tour Product

The Department of Tourism (DOT), seeing the huge potential of whale shark interaction to

provide jobs and livelihood for the municipality of Oslob in Cebu, has committed to support

its development as a sustainable tourism product.

 

Following the recent assessment done by its regional office, DOT Secretary Ramon R.

Jimenez, Jr. instructed Undersecretary Maria Victoria V. Jasmin and Region VII Director 

Rowena Montecillo to start working on the recommendations submitted. “This opportunity

to bring economic benefits to the community of Oslob has to be carefully planned and

managed so that it continues as a sustainable activity. We are offering our assistance to

augment the local government unit’s initial interventions towards sustainability,” the

Secretary said.

“DOT sees the importance of giving training for the boatmen particularly on safety and

security and values formation. A Tourism Awareness program is also necessary to

educate the community on responsible, ethical and sustainable tourism. For food service

providers, particularly small vendors, a Food Safety Seminar will also be given.

Considering the absence of accommodation establishments, DOT will embark on the

training of qualified households on the operation of homestay services,” UndersecretaryJasmin remarked.

Director Montecillo added that the whale shark watching activity has been regulated to

avoid direct interaction by tourists.

DOT Media Release – February 2012 Page 1

8/3/2019 DOT MEDIA RELEASE (02/17/12) - DOT Supports Oslob's Community-Based Whale Watching Tour Product

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/dot-media-release-021712-dot-supports-oslobs-community-based-whale 2/2

DOT is part of the technical working group created by Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia that

will institutionalize guidelines to ensure this tourism opportunity remains a boon to the

community.

The DOT is recommending the conduct of a study that will look into Oslob’s marine

ecosystem and the behavior of the whale sharks to determine their seasonality and

sustainability of their food supply. In addition, local officials will be invited to an

observation visit to Donsol to learn about its best practices in handling whale shark

interaction and community organization.

“We target the training programs to be conducted in March, starting with the boatmen. Our 

other courses of action will ensue once the study points to the sustainability of this product.

There is so much to be done to improve the tourism experience. However, other activities

need to be developed so that the visitors have more reasons to be in Oslob. The

bottomline is that benefits should redound to community development and promotion of a

culture of tourism that stresses genuine care and proper management of this newfound

resource,” added the tourism chief.

 

#####

CONTACT: EVELYN A. MACAYAYONGOffice of Marketing Communications525-18-05

DOT Media Release – February 2012 Page 2