According to DOT Regional Director Blessida G. Diwa, the convergence program provides for the upgrading and development of access roads leading to the region’s tourist destinations, enabling wider reach among local and foreign visitors. She also shared that currently, the Region has 12 ongoing tourism projects under the said program.

Director Diwa also encouraged the Local Government Units (LGUs) to submit their proposals with the required documents. Among the basic documentary requirements include: DOT certification on the site’s tourism importance, number of accommodation rooms, tourist arrivals and tourism facilities. “We always look for data on tourist arrivals in the area. We are encouraging the LGUs to always take note of the number of visitor arrivals because this will be one of our bases in approving your proposals,” she added.

IDC Co-Chair and DPWH 2 OIC-Regional Director Melvin B. Navarro urged the provinces to continuously submit their proposals in order to take advantage of the presence of said program. RD Navarro added that the program is based on tourism projects endorsed; hence, more proposals meant more infrastructure projects for the development of tourism in Region 02.

The CY 2015 convergence projects shall be tabled for discussion during the 104th RDC Meeting tentatively scheduled on 20 March 2014 for the Council’s approval and endorsement.