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Dir. Ravanilla |
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The Balik Caramoan Project being planned by the Caramoan Residents Association in Naga City and its Environs (CRANE) is assured of formidable support from the Department of Tourism Regional Office.
DOT Regional Director Maria Ong Ravanilla lauded the effort of the organization as a big boost to the tourism program for Caramoan, both of her office and that of the provincial government of Camarines Sur.
In a preliminary conference at the DOT Regional Office Monday, June 19 between Director Ravanilla, CRANE president Dominador Alarkon, Jr. and executive vice-president Dr. Dolly Roa Perez, the DOT official expressed optimism that the Balik Caramoan Project would eventually spur investments from Caramoanons abroad into the development of the tourism industry in the area.
Director Ravanilla said substantial media publicity about Caramoan tourism potentials has been made in local and national publications, radio and TV resulting in the growing influx of Caramoan visitors including foreigners.
“But Caramoan has to be ready to accommodate tourists”, Director Ravanilla emphasized, which means that there must be adequate hotels and related tourist facilities.
The Balik Caramoan Project was proposed by Dr. Dolly Roa Perez late last year after her visit to the US where she met a big number of Caramoanons now residing there and in Canada who expressed their desire to come home. They, however, wanted their trip home to be memorable and meaningful and asked that CRANE coordinate their trip and plan out daily activities for the duration of their visit.
CRANE president Alarkon promptly designated Dr. Perez chair of the Balik Caramoan Project Committee with Ms. Laurette Lejarde Ramirez, Ms. Salvacion Cordis Osga and Ms. Alice Señar Alarkon as core committee members. Ms. Ramirez and Ms. Osga were also in US last year while Ms. Alarkon left on June 23 also for the US where she will stay for at least a year to help coordinate the CRANE project.
Planned for the Caramoan fiesta week from May 1-8, 2007, the Balik Caramoan Project will involve the Caramoan LGU under Mayor Francis Benemerito, religious groups and socio-civic organizations and institutions and public and private schools.
“The CRANE will just serve as lead group but the Balik Caramoan Project will involve as many individuals and organization willing to share in the task of accelerating the pace of tourism development”, Dr. Perez explained.
