By Danielle Gabriel
PUERTO Galera’s role as one of the most beautiful bays in the world serves the entire country well in terms of recognition and is a prime example of partnership between the public and private sector.
Amid preparations for the 11th Congress of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World, which the Philippines is hosting for the first time, local government officials and stakeholders of Oriental Mindoro’s prized municipality emphasized its capability to lure attention from all over the world in the form of eco-tourism, cultural exchange, and the Malasimbo music and arts festival.
Frenchman Hubert d’Aboville, who is president of the Puerto Galera Most Beautiful Bay Inc., said the world congress, which will open tomorrow, will focus on the Philippines as a top tourism hub with plenty of activity choices aside from the usual shopping and sightseeing.
“It is a big government exercise. This is a very good way to promote worldwide our country, our bay,” d’Aboville said.
Attributing the success of being named most beautiful bay in the world to ties between the government and private enterprises, d’Aboville said Puerto Galera, being in the forefront of tourism in Oriental Mindoro, proves to be a good example of the public-private partnership (PPP) the current administration has been pushing for over the last five years.
“I strongly believe in what we call the PPP. How many successful PPPs have we had—not so many. It is very important when the government and the private sector can run together, we can cover a marathon,” d’Aboville said.
Puerto Galera Mayor Hubbert Dolor agreed, saying that despite being a small municipality, Puerto Galera has its place on the world map for its nontraditional form of tourism both developed and preserved by people from the Department of Tourism, Oriental Mindoro government officials and private companies.
“We are famous above and below. Below because of our dive sites and above waters because of our mountains, especially Mount Malasimbo, where we have our annual music and arts festival,” Dolor said.
He added: “If the national government would look into us, that this is really a good example of a public-private partnership. Mr. d’Aboville, being the private sector, and us from the local government are working together to bring the world to Puerto Galera.”
Alongside new means of traveling to Puerto Galera and cheaper options for accommodation sprouting in the island, Dolor said safety and security will not be a problem for concerned tourists as the area has been declared insurgent-free and that no conflict has been reported in recent years.
With the different attractions, as well as the promise of more comfortable travel to his town, Dolor hopes for the success of the gathering during the six-day congress.
“This kind of event makes [an] impression. And the impression we get reflects not only on Puerto Galera but the whole country,” Dolor said.
The most beautiful bays congress currently has 28 bays from 18 countries joining.
“The idea is that we learn from one another. What problems we may be experiencing in our bays maybe the same in Brazil, or Korea or other countries,” d’Aboville said.
Meanwhile, French nonprofit organization on socio-environmental concerns NOÈ Conservation also gave its support to the endeavors of Puerto Galera in ensuring the welfare of the national parks and wildlife in the area.
According to its project coordinator, Emmanuel Shütz, their role is to protect the indigenous communities and wildlife, such as the tamaraw, while helping develop ecotourism in the area.
Shütz said that while their main partnership is with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the tourism sector would be a big help in raising their advocacy.