SP OKs elevation of Provincial Culture, Arts, History and Tourism Office into a department

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Iloilo has approved on third and final reading the proposed ordinance seeking to elevate the Provincial Culture, Arts, History and Tourism Office’s status (PCAHTO) to a full-fledged department.

Ordinance No. 2024-320 or the Provincial Culture, Arts, History and Tourism Ordinance of 2024 was principally authored by Fifth District Board Member Binky April Tupas.

According to Tupas, chairperson of the SP Committee on Culture, Arts, History and Tourism, the passage of the measure will bolster the tourism sector in the province.

“Ang tourism office sang Iloilo province kulang gid katama ang empleyado. Kadamo gid sang ulubrahon especially sa marking aspects sang aton Turismo. With this ordinance, may ara na framework ang aton probinsya kon pila gid man ang necessary number of employees or staff sang PCAHTO nga subong isa na ka department,” she said in a media interview.

“Daku gid ini nga bulig. Aside sa marketing, mabuligan ta man nga maprofessionalize ang aton tour operators. Bal-an ta man nga daku ang potential sang Iloilo sa tourism,” Tupas added.

The newly approved ordinance also encourages local government units (LGUs) in he province to create their own Culture, Arts, History and Tourism Offices.IMT