#TeamKomunidad, a team composed of academic researchers from the UST Research Center for Social Sciences and Education (RCSSED) – Tourism Studies RIG, College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (CTHM), and UST Sentro Turismo, presented their Policy Research titled, “Sustainable Community-based Tourism Potential and Development of Barangay San Miguel, Echague, Isabela in the New/Next Normal.” The project was presented during the NRCP Research Forum and Agenda Setting for Policy Development held on June 7, 2023 at the House of Representatives.
The project aimed to assess the tourism potential and tourism development of the barangay and its related stakeholders on sustainable community-based tourism. It was funded by the Department of Science and Technology – National Research Council of the Philippines (DOST NRCP) through the initiative of Representative Hon. Faustino “Inno” A. Dy V of the 6th District of Isabela.
During the Policy Forum, Congressman Dy, who is also the chair of the House Committee on Bases Conversion, shared the significance of sustainable tourism development to uplift the way of life of the local community and their related stakeholders in the municipality and even through its district and nearby provinces. The plan will provide them with a strategic and evidence-based approach to mechanize their programs and projects for tourism development and resource conservation.
The forum was followed by the ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between UST and the municipal government of Echague, Isabela. The MOA signified the strong relationship between the two parties, specifically in implementing the DOST NRCP Policy Funded Research Project. Echague was represented by its officials: Mayor Francis Faustino “Kiko” A. Dy, Vice Mayor Allan P. Tupong, MD, the Members of the Sanggunian Bayan, and Municipal Tourism, Culture and Arts Officer Louie C. Simbe.
Representing UST were #TeamKomunidad and CTHM. #TeamKomunidad was headed by CTHM academic staff and RCSSED researcher Mr. Jame Monren T. Mercado. CTHM Dean and lawyer Gezzez Giezi G. Granado, DCL, led the group that included Assistant Dean Dr. Evangeline E. Timbang, Asst. Prof. Maria Concepcion A. Ang, Dr. Avi Ben P. Andalecio, and Dr. Fhamela F. Sarmiento. They were assisted by Mr. Danilo P. Bustillos II of the Department of Hospitality Management, and Ms. Andrea Nicole D. Hernandez, a CTHM alumna from batch 2019.
