Last Updated June 30, 2025
Victorias City Breaks Ground For New Project At Gawahon, Signs Moa With Dot Secretary
Victorias City marked a significant milestone in its sustainable tourism efforts with the groundbreaking ceremony of “Gawahon, A Birder’s Paradise – A Haven for Sustainable and Inclusive Eco-tourism,” held at the Gawahon Eco-Park, June 11.
This flagship initiative is one of the winning projects under the Department of Tourism’s Tourism Champions Challenge (TCC), aimed at boosting eco-tourism development at the local government level.
In 2023, the City Government of Victorias submitted its tourism infrastructure proposal to the DOT’s nationwide challenge, which sought to identify and support innovative and sustainable tourism projects from local government units.
Out of 98 proposals from 90 LGUs across the country, Victorias City was named one of the 15 national winners and secured the fourth spot among all entries in the Visayas cluster.
The city received Php 8 million in funding from the Department of Tourism and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), and an additional Php 5 million grant from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., bringing the total project fund to Php 13 million.
At this stage, the project will focus on the construction of the Gawahon Information Center and Tourist One-Stop-Shop—the first sub-project under the broader “Birder’s Paradise” initiative.
The facility will serve as an educational and orientation hub for tourists as it features a visitor area, interpretive galleries showcasing local bird species and native biodiversity, and a souvenir shop offering locally made products, all aimed at enriching the visitor experience while promoting environmental education and community-based tourism.
City Councilor and Vice Mayor-elect Derek Palanca opened the program by welcoming guests and highlighting the project's significance to Victorias and the province.
To formalize the project’s implementation and define the roles and responsibilities of involved agencies, a tripartite Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed during the event by DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, TIEZA Assistant Chief Operating Officer Jetro Nicolas Lozada, and Victorias City Mayor and Third District Congressman-elect Javier Miguel Benitez.
Mayor Javi expressed his gratitude to the Department of Tourism, TIEZA, and the Office of the President for recognizing Victorias City’s commitment to sustainable tourism.
He highlighted that the Gawahon project is more than just infrastructure, as it represents an investment in environmental preservation, inclusive growth, and long-term prosperity for Victoriasanons.
In her message, Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco commended Victorias City for its forward-thinking proposal and reaffirmed the Department of Tourism’s strong support for initiatives that position eco-tourism as a catalyst for inclusive progress and environmental resilience.
She emphasized that the Tourism Champions Challenge was created to empower LGUs to craft localized tourism solutions that reflect both national priorities and community needs.
“Gawahon – A Birder’s Paradise, is proof that when national vision aligns with local determination, we can build something truly meaningful and lasting,” she stated, recognizing Victorias City's strategic focus on nature-based tourism development.
A message of support was also delivered by Provincial Tourism Officer Cheryl Decena on behalf of Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, commending Victorias City for its dedication to community-centered tourism initiatives that benefit both people and the environment.
Following the ceremonial signing and messages of support, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for the newly completed Gawahon Hostel.
The two-storey, seven-room dormitory-type accommodation was built to respond to the growing demand for overnight lodging in the area, especially during major events such as scouting activities, athletic competitions, and seminars.
The event was attended by several officials from the Department of Tourism, including DOT Undersecretary Shahlimar Hofer Tamano, Assistant Secretaries Judilyn Quiachon and Ronald Conopio, TIEZA Assistant COO Jetro Nicolas Lozada, Directors Glenn Albert Ocampo and Alven Talisic, DOT Region VI Regional Director Crisanta Marlene Rodriguez, and TCC Technical Adviser Dr. Maria Cherry Lyn Rodolfo, along with various provincial and city officials and tourism stakeholders.
Also present during the event were members of community-based tourism organizations, including the Association of Tourism Workers of Negros Occidental, the Association of Tour Guides of Negros, and community guides from the cities of Victorias, Sagay, and Talisay.
City officials, department heads, and employees were also in attendance, showing their full support for the project and the city’s vision for sustainable and inclusive tourism development.
Victorias City’s recognition as one of the top Tourism Champions Challenge awardees, along with the launch of the Gawahon Eco-Tourism Project, reflects its strong commitment to environmental conservation, innovative tourism development, and inclusive growth that benefits not only Victoriasanons but also the entire province of Negros Occidental. *