Tourism grants for Ifugao folk now available

LAGAWE, Ifugao – The provincial tourism office is now promoting the Grassroots Entrepreneurs For Eco-tourism (GREET) Livelihood Grants Program in line with the directive of President Arroyo to promote and safeguard the country's eco-tourism sites through better services for tourists,

Marieta Hangdaan, provincial tourism officer said the GREET program would provide blocks of P50,000 worth of grants to deserving groups or individuals with feasible entrepreneurial or business proposals in eco-tourism sites in the country with priority given to young entrepreneurs.

Hangdaan is encouraging individuals or groups with in the province who would want to contribute for the development of our tourism industry while they earn to move before the deadline of submission of applications which has been extended until August 2007.

She said entrepreneurs who wish to establish a new business or expand existing tourism products or services can avail of the grant.

Parties who wish to secure application forms may get from their office, Hangdaan said.

Proposals of eligible individuals and organizations shall be invited to submit innovative, creative, well –planned and environment-sustaining business proposals for implementation to chosen eco-tourism site. She said business proposals should be based on the GREET Program business plan template.

Applications will be evaluated in terms of how well they meet the GREET program objectives, she said.

“With the value tourists place on indigenous culture and pristine attractions, and with the unique culture and attractions we have, coupled with government programs that give us the opportunity to develop what we have, we hope to work in partnership with the community as development efforts for the countryside is very essential for the sustainability of tourism in Ifugao,” she added. -- Jina Shirley G. Dacmay