Maritime
International game fishers
enjoy DOT homestay program
S
ome 75 anglers from across the globe experienced
the warmth of unique and genuine hospitality as they
enjoyed their homestay with host Filipino families
during the four-day 10th Siargao International Fishing
Competition in Pilar town, Surigao del Norte.
“As fisherfolks return from the sea back home to their
respective families, the competing anglers virtually come
home to their host families. Foreign and Filipino sport
fishers who stayed with accredited homestay units had
the tangible experience of our campaign promise that ‘when you’re with
Filipinos, you’re with family,’” said Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo.
The Department of Tourism head explained that homestay is an
alternative accommodation offered by locals, including board and
lodging while sharing the Filipino culture and lifestyle to their guests.
A stone’s throw away from San Roque River, the game fishing
battlefield, contestants and their entourage stayed in DOT-accredited
homestay houses as they have to set sail at the break of dawn.
Siargao sports fishing living legend and homestay patron Marfin Tan
booked Carmencita Ombos Homestay, the same homestay he availed of since the early stages of the tournament.
“Okay ang homestay, makatulong din financially sa mga individuals
dito. At the same time, you can find a home and a second family. You
become an adopted son for that matter and build camaraderie with
them,” shared the General Santos city native, who bested anglers from 11
countries in the Biggest Giant Tanguige and Giant Dorado category.
Norwegian angler Sultan Gyori agreed with Tan sharing that he had
stayed in the same homestay for five years now and their host has been
kind and helpful from the very start.
“When with Filipinos, you are treated with utmost respect
and care. Our homestay hosts treat tourists as their own
‘bisita’. They even go out of their way to make sure that all
bases are covered,” the Secretary Teo added.
There are currently a total of 105 accredited homestays are available
nationwide with 14 from Siargao Island accounting to almost 30
rooms for anglers and tourists all year round. For a fixed rate of P1,400,
competing anglers this year were billeted in an average of three spacious
and well-ventilated rooms with individual and communal rest rooms plus
the local authentic meals prepared by the host family.
In the earlier phases of the game fishing tourney, a handful of
homestay owners were granted P75,000 each for comfort rooms repair
and installation of air condition unit. Previous efforts of the DOT Region XIII
included basic tourist reception refresher, frontline services training, food
handling seminars and hiring of professional chefs to upscale the host
families’ pallet and menu choices.
The Pilar homestay program are now being adopted by other nearby
towns like General Luna and Del Carmen which are also take off points for
surfing and other tourist spots in Siargao Island.
The DOT and local tourism offices also provides training and
accreditation to elevate the homestay program into Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) standards. To be an accredited
homestay, owners are required to assure the safety, sanitation, and
availability of rooms and other basic amenities such as clean rest rooms and kitchen and continuous water supply.
Secretary Teo encourages more homeowners to join the homestay
program. “If you have a spare room, furnish it, and have it accredited by
our Regional Offices. You’ll get to earn extra income while making visitors
feel at home while they are away from their homes,” she ended.
During the inaugural ASEAN Homestay Award Ceremony at the ASEAN
Tourism Forum last year, five facilities from the country were awarded
certificates that complies to the ASEAN’s standards of enhancing local
quality of life, generating income for local arts and crafts businesses and
encouraging conservation of nature and restoration of historic sites.
The five homestay recognized are the Agan’s Homestay, Ates Homestay,
Estelita Homestay, Xylla’s Homestay and Omandam Homestay, all from
Central Visayas.
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