By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
QUEZON CITY — The Quezon City local government on Monday (Oct. 7) held a tourism stakeholders’ consultation and officially launched the newest Quezon City tourism branding in Novotel Araneta City.
In her speech, Mayor Josefina “Joy” G. Belmonte cited all endeavors that generates tourism insights in Quezon City.
“Quezon City is a wide canvass where a large human canvass interplays. There is more life, more to experience, more to invest where this can be made in tourism,” Belmonte said.
“Not only an available partner in tourism, to create tourism plan that will best showcase the city can offer,” she added.
“We are a melting pot of hospitality and environmental attractions from museums and tourism spots,” Belmonte said.
“We have raised our reputation as tourism spot. We are home to major broadcasting networks and a myriad of movie studios,” she added.
The United Nations World Tourism Organizatioin (UNWTO) has recognized Quezon City Cinema as the best in the country.
“Just last week, we were named as the creative center of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization,” Belmonte said.
“As we undergo the process of assessments, we will be named as the first cinema center of the world in 2025,” she added.
To build partnership around the country with others. Museum ng Pelikulang Pilipino na balak nating buksan this coming 2025 sa Quezon Memoral Circle.
Much-awaited concerts of international stars. We are becoming the venue of upcoming international undertaking boths local and international.
Hindi na po tayo kailangang umasa sa hotels as venues para sa conferences and events kasi magbubukas na ang Quezon City Center sa City Hall na can accommodate ang events.
Mas madalas na po tayo sa aming bagong center kasi mahal kayo sumingil dito sa Novotel.
She was asked when will the city government can have its own center or theater and make that Theatre in April next year magbubukas to pave the way for the creation of more jobs.
“We are coordinating with the hotels for the women deprived of liberty (DPL) who can be trained for months, after which, they can be absorbed in that particular hotel. Job generation for Quezon City residents, especially from Women’s Correctional Institute,” Belmonte said.
“We have hosted 250,000 who joined us in joyful protest in Pride Festival and did a survey kung saan galing ang participants and many of them travelled from far parts of the country and maraming hotel ang nagsabing kumita sila, lalo na ang restaurant dahil nag-overnight stay ang participants sa kanilang lugar,” she added.
“This year or next year, we are planning a bigger pride event and other cultural events. We have the like of Chinatown in Banaue. Now we have decorated Banaue to look Chinatown like in Binondo,” Belmonte said.
“This is our way in being one with our DOT to be part of their agenda. Wnat we are produd to be part of the your agenda.
*We have a regular Maguinhawa food festival every three or four months. And I thank you for your cooperation with the local government,” she added.
The Cubao Expo has been showing food and other products.
“We vow to double the parks in the communities as we endeavor to other invesments such as in Payatas to turn it into a recreational park,” Belmonte said.
“Pinagdudugtung na natin ang Quezon City Memorial Circle and the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center. We are now in the process of bidding out in support of President Marcos. We are now bringing out the park to be biologally center in the Philippines by next year,” she added.
Payatas controlled facility dating dumpsite gagawin ng ful-lfledged major destination as well in the city.
The city of freedom. The city of democracy with a legacy to fight for independence. Belmonte was told that she was marketing Quezon City in the wrong way such that the birthplace of demoracray is in Pugadlawin where the first shout of independence was made by Andres Bonifacio.
Heritage trail to connect Bonifacio Shrine to Balintawak to Apolonio Samson Garden at nagpunit din ng sedula doon.
Barangay Kangkong or sa Pugadlawin where sedulas were torn many times.
The Tandang Sora Shrine which is the actual shrine or birthdplace of Melchora Aquino which is now part of the heritage tour by early next year with the help of UP Center isang testimony na ang Quezon City that our fight for inclusivity for tourism is continuous.
There will be a passport for the heritage tour which when filled up one will receive a gift from the city government.
The heritage trail will be connected to the freedom trail by the city government.
“We are the bastion of freedom and democracy as we have the Bantayog ng mga Bayani and the Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation will have the heritage site which will be improved as we knew that Andres Bonifacio started the fight for freedom and demoracy to include the People Power Monument or the Edsa Shrine,” Belmonte said.
The concept of sustainable tourism and Quezon city has been known to be the center of sustainability.
It’s important to be vigilant such that everyone’s right is respected in the business communities in the city.
“I want to hear from you. Sana ipagbawal natin ang mahiyain. Sana lahat ng stakeholders natin ay maingay para maisama natin ang tourism advocacy,” Belmonte, a passionate tourism advocate, said.
During the official launch of the Quezon City Tourism Branding, Assistant Regional Director Catherine C. Agustin, of the Department of Tourism-National Capital Region (DOT-NCR), said that Quezon City is one of the cities in the country that has a “Tourism Development Plan”, which is being improved and developed.
Tourism Secretary Cristina Garcia Frasco has expressed her support for the nomination of Quezon City in promoting the country in the implementation of the National Tourism Development Plan for connectivity, promotions as well as the invaluable participation of the stakeholders in the tourism development.
The DOT’s efforts are anchored on connectivity, convenience and equality and the DOT has looked beyond the promotion of tourism development plan, and it included film tourism, food tourism, farm tourism and art tourism.
Likewise, gastronomy tourism, dive tourism, and halal tourism, which have also been mentioned by Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte earlier.
The DOT is also providing trainings for sustainable tourism. The DOT has strengthened its Filipino brand of hospitality that is known all over the world.
A total of 212,937 tourism frontliners and stakeholders all over the country have been trained on Filipino tourism brand as of July this year.
As of September 2024, a total of 4,423,247 international visitors who came into the country, with foreign tourists comprised the bulk of the visitors.
The DOT expressed the hope to align the plans, programs and strategies to the National Tourism Development Plan and it is ready to provide the support and collaboration with the stakeholders.
The newest “Tourism Brand of Quezon City”, wherein “Quezon City there is more”, was unveiled by Mayor Belmonte and Assistant Regional Director Agustin which showcased the ecotourism parks, cultural and heritage parks, food parks, festivals, and many others.
It will be recalled that in Memorandum Circular No. 2019-17, Local Government Secretary Eduardo M. Ano reiterated Republic Act No. 9593, or the “Tourism Act of 2009”, Rule 8, Chapter 1, Section 122 Accreditation.
The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA No. 9593, “Primary Tourism Enterprises” (PTEs) such as hotels, resorts, inns and other accommodation establishments are required to secure accreditation from the Department of Tourism (DOT) for issuance of license or permit to operate.
The local government units (LGUs) have to ensure that all PTEs have complied with and have obtained DOT accreditation before operations.
Concerned LGUs will be notified by the DOT of failure of compliance of respective PTEs, and will have to issue necessary closure orders should PTEs fail to rectify the same.
