Tacloban City (July 1, 2007) — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 8 will turn over the chairmanship of the Regional Ecotourism Committee to the Department of Tourism Region 8, in simple turn over ceremony which will be conducted at the DENR Multi-Purpose Hall on July 03, 2007 at 1:30 in the afternoon.

DENR Regional Executive Director and Chairman of the Regional Ecotourism Committee Alfredo S. Pascual informed that pursuant to Executive Order 111, this is now the turn of the Department of Tourism to provide the direction and lead the implementation of the programs and projects of the National Ecotourism Development Council, the National Ecotourism Steering Committee and the Regional Ecotourism Committee for the next three years.

Director Pascual said that the chairmanship of the Council and its committees shall have a term of three years and shall be held on rotation basis by the Department of Tourism and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

DENR has already turned over the chairmanship of the National Ecotourism Steering Committee to the Department of Tourism on March 14, 2007 during the 44th NESC meeting held at the PAWP Visitor Center in Quezon City . The DENR tour of duty covered the period 2004 – 2006, Director Pascual added.

The Regional Ecotourism Committee assists the National Ecotourism Development Council in effectively implementing the programs and activities approved by the Council.

Among the functions of the Regional Ecotourism Committee is the formulation of policies, programs and guidelines relevant to the development and promotion of ecotourism in the Region.

Another function is devising an accreditation and incentives mechanism for ecotourism projects.

Executive Order 111 was issued in 1998, establishing the guidelines for ecotourism development in the Philippines . The Executive Order provided for the creation of a National Ecotourism Development Council (NEDC) composed of the Secretaries of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources, Interior and Local Government, Trade and Industry, Finance, National Economic Development Authority, Education, Culture and Sports and representatives from the private and non-government sectors.

The Regional Ecotourism Committee is composed of Regional Director of DOT, the Regional Executive Director of DENR, Protected Area and Wildlife Division Chief, NEDA-PCSD, NGO representative, Concerned Local Government Unit representative and Private Sector representative.

Director Pascual intimated that the Regional Ecotourism Committee will be expanding its membership for the next three years to include representatives from the private sector and government agencies. (PIA 8)

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