BONTOC, Mtn. Prov.– The meeting of the Provincial Tourism, Culture and Arts Council (PTCAC) is being called for the second semester to talk about the Provincial Tourism Development Plan and other concerns.
The invitation letters of the governor dated December 6, 2019 calls for the meeting to be held on December 16, 9:00 AM, at the Samoki Valley Inn, Bontoc, Mountain Province.
The members representing the government and the private sectors and stakeholders will talk about the preservation, enrichment and promote tourism in the province per Executive Order No. 12, Series 2018 issued by Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan, Jr.
Additional functions of the Council are: to formulate plans to develop local tourism, cultural heritage, culture and the arts consonant with the National Tourism Development Plan and Philippine Development Plan for Culture and the Arts; coordinate with affiliated tourism and cultural agencies of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) for the promotion and development of local tourism products and conservation and monitoring of national cultural properties found in the local government unit;
The council is also to identify such other programs and activities for the promotion of local tourism products and local cultural heritage and arts, among the many functions and responsibilities EO No. 12 lodged into it.
Republic Act No. 9593 otherwise known as the Tourism Act of 2009 provides technical assistance to local government units (LGUs) in destination development, standard setting and regulatory enforcement.
It also mandates the formulation of tourism policies, plans, and project for the development of tourism as an engine of socio-economic and cultural growth.
Provincial Ordinance No. 295 provides that the “Council shall have the power to determine its organization, administrative and operational structures from time to time. . . It shall enlist the aid, assistance, and support of private or government agencies”.
Among the other concerns immediately facing the council is its membership and organization.
The executive order provided for the governor as the chairman but did not mention who is the vice chair.
It is therefore possible that the vice chair or the co-chair may come from the private sector in consonance with objectives of RA 9593 “to strengthen the role of tourism councils and encourage the participation of non-government organizations, people’s organizations and the private sector in initiating programs for tourism development and environmental protection”.
Special committees are also provided for by the Ordinance as follows; Executive Committee, the Committee on Tourism, and the Committee on Culture and the Arts.
The tourism Act of 2009 and other primary tourism issuances from the government acknowledge the private sector’s contribution to the development of tourism programs and activities.
Under the provincial ordinance, the secretariat of the council is lodged with the Provincial Tourism Office that shall provide technical and administrative support to the council.
The council meets two times a year but may have special meetings as the need arises and as maybe called upon by the chairperson.**Roger Sacyaten
