By Press Release | Asian Journal
The MIMAROPA region, including cities of Calapan and Puerto Princesa, is on display for two weeks beginning October 17 at the Philippine Showroom, a year-round tourism and trade fair at the lobby of the Department of Tourism Building along Gil Puyat Avenue in Makati.
The provinces of Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan, which go by the acronym MIMAROPA, displays for sale some of their export-quality products like marble figurines with on-the-spot electro-engraving, uraro pastries, ethnic-inspired fashion accessories, and the uniquely designed and intricately woven nito baskets by the Iraya-Mangyans of Puerto Galera in Mindoro Oriental.
“We are bringing the regions to Metro Manila to provide urban travelers with updated information, which will help them better plan and decide for their trips,” Undersecretary Katherine Chloe de Castro said during MIMAROPA showcase’s opening ceremonies.
“By January 2017, DOT will focus on less known destinations like Romblon, Marinduque and Mindoro. For a start, we shall invite and bring both national and international media here,” the Undersecretary revealed.
Home to World Heritage Sites, natural parks, dive sites, protected marine areas, fine sand beaches and hospitable people: the region boasts of its natural beauty and more. Hence, the tourism brand – “MIMAROPA, Naturally.”
“Our regional showcase at DOT is timely. In Mindoro, agriculture and tourism complement each other to complete the lives of our people. We should let the whole world know that our province and the rest of MIMAROPA are important destinations to visit,” shared Governor Alfonso Umali, Jr. of Mindoro Oriental.
Marinduque Governor Carmencita Reyes, on the other hand, has been promoting MIMAROPA’s inter-island cruise as another way to explore things in their heart-shaped island.
Romblon Governor Eduardo Firmalo was not to be outdone, as he boasted his province’s natural resources and its rich flora and fauna. He also takes pride in their underwater paradise now becoming a destination for SCUBA divers.
With space assignment of these regional showcases rotated every two weeks among all Philippine regions, tour packages and travel information are now within every traveler’s reach.
The Philippine Regional Showroom is spearheaded by Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo and implemented by DOT’s Tourism Regulation, Coordination and Revenue Genenration Sector headed by Undersecretary Alma Rita Jimenez.
Photo caption: DOT Undersecretary Katherine Chloe S. de Castro (rightmost) is joined by MIMAROPA local government officials and other guests in the ribbon cutting ceremony of the region’s product display at DOT’s showroom in Makati from 17-28 October. (Foreground,L-R) Ayala Foundation’s Doña Beatriz Zobel, Marinduque Governor Carmencita O. Reyes. (Background, L-R): Assistant Secretary Daniel Mercado (partly hidden), Puerto Princesa City (PPC) Councilor Matthew Mendoza, Romblon Governor Eduardo Firmalo and Oriental Mindoro Alfonso Umali, Jr.
