“Alay ng Pangulo, Turismo Para sa Pilipino!”

PROJECT BRIEF

I. BACKGROUND

RATIONALE:

In line with the directive of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to promote and safeguard the country’s eco-tourism sites through the provision of essential services for tourists, the Grassroots Entrepreneurs for Eco-tourism (GREET) program has been conceived to enhance the livelihood opportunities preferably for promising young entrepreneurs who can best explore the inherent tourist drawing potentials of these sites which can readily be sources of income within their respective protected areas.

As a pioneering economic strategy, the GREET program is geared towards enhancing the quality of life of the community where the protection of its environment must be of paramount importance.

Eco-tourism, as cited in the National Eco-tourism Strategy published in July 2002, is a significant tool in sustainable development of the country as it advocates protection of our natural resources and seeks to put in place mechanisms that are environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and socially equitable.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

Concept:

GREET program is a mass-based special pioneering project of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in her genuine concern to extend livelihood opportunities to young entrepreneurs. Aimed at developing and promoting eco-tourism sites in the Philippines, it is under the stewardship of Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano’s “Tourism with a Heart” campaign.

Nature

The GREET Program would provide Grants amounting to Php50,000 to Php100,000 to deserving groups or individuals with feasible entrepreneurial/business proposals in eco tourism sites in the country. Preference would be extended to young entrepreneurs. Criteria for evaluation will guide in the selection of potential entrepreneurs.

Duration

December 2006 to September 2007

Funding Sources

Funds will be sourced from the DOT TLA

To underscore the importance of this program, President Arroyo herself advocated the following statements in Her Excellency’s Memorandum to Secretary Durano dated 17 March 2006:

”Sapagkat tayong mga Pilipino ay pala-ngiti, at mahilig bumati, at magsabi ng Mabuhay sa ating mga bisita, gumawa na tayo ng Grassroots Entreprenuers for Eco tourism, o GREET program.

“Marami tayong mga kabataan na gusto maging explorers, guides, trailblazers. Through this fund, we will realize their dream of coming up with brochures and websites that will generate interest in undiscovered treasures that dot our beautiful land.

God has gifted us with spectacular nature sites that we don’t have to build multistory buildings to draw in tourists. And there is a big tourism market that sojourns to areas unspoiled by commercial development.

And Donsol na kakabisita ko ay sample lang. Marami pang mga Donsol, mga Boracay at mga Siargao, mga El Nido, sa Pilipinas. Sa ganitong magagandang lugar, isang payong lamang, isang bangka, isang kubo maganda na. Yan ang ating competitive advantage. Other countries may have infrastructure muscle, but good and rich as they are they can’t craft synthetic sunset or artificial marble sand.

Thus, I am asking Eco Tourism warriors to step forward so that together we can realize your dream and together we can conquer the world”.

TARGET GOALS:

Promotion and marketing of eco-tourism sites as potential tourist destination;

Employment generation and livelihood creation;

Balanced ecology and environmental protection;

Tourism development

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

To develop the GREET Program as an effective socio-economic mechanism responsive to forging of balanced eco-tourism environment and preserving cultural heritage thereby resulting to favorable improvement in national economy and community.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

To encourage small and medium entrepreneurships in key ecotourism sites engage in tourism-related businesses and services that explore local ingenuity and creativity using local materials and employing local talents;

To develop pioneering industries that would spur economic growth that would sustain the maintenance of eco-tourism sites;

To provide seed/start-up capital for aspiring young entrepreneurs in key ecotourism sites;

To create a favorable local business environment and positive attitude by educating the community to be responsible entrepreneurs who will safeguard the management of eco-tourism sites;

To promote the development of products that will satisfy visitors’ needs while positioning the Philippines as a globally competitive ecotourism destination.

  1. ACTION PLANS

1. Creation of the GREET Program Committee

DOT is mandated by EO120 to ensure that tourism’s economic benefits are

dispersed to a wider segment of the population. The GREET Program Committee

will be composed of the following core-group:

2. Prioritization of Eco-tourism Sites

Identify key eco-tourism sites to be supported by the GREET Program on the basis of the following critetia:

  1. Rich in natural and cultural attractions
  2. Authentic and unique features
  3. Special interest activities and educational experience for the visitors
  4. Accessible
  5. Relatively comfortable facilities e.g. lodging accommodation, places to eat, water supply, etc.

The proposed projects must be located in ecotourism sites as such but not limited to the following areas:

  • Northern Luzon
  • BatanesIslands
  • Vigan, Ilocos Sur
  • Penablanca, CagayanValley
  • Cordillera Region
  • Hundred Islands, Pangasinan
  • Mt.Pinatubo, Zambales
  • Southern Luzon
  • Wawa Dam
  • Mt.Makiling, Los Banos, Laguna
  • Tagaytay / Taal Volcano
  • Mt.Isarog, Camarines Sur
  • Mayon Volcano, Albay
  • Donsol, Sorsogon
  • Mt.Bulusan, Sorsogon
  • Apo Reef, Mindoro
  • El Nido, Palawan
  • UndergroundRiver, Puerto Prinsesa, Palawan
  • Tubbataha Reef, Palawan
  • Visayas
  • SohotonCaves, Eastern Samar
  • LakeDanao, Ormoc, Leyte
  • Mt.Kanlaon, Negros
  • OlangoIsland, Cebu
  • Bohol
  • TanonStrait, Negros Oriental
  • ApoIsland, Negros Oriental
  • Mindanao
  • Siargao, Surigao del Norte
  • Camiguin
  • Agusan Marsh, Agusan del Norte
  • Misamis Oriental
  • Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte
  • Mt.Apo, Davao del Sur
  • LakeSebu, South Cotabato
  1. Mechanics and Guidelines for Implementation

3.1.Who Can Apply?

Individuals

  • Applicants must be a Filipino citizen, 18 years old and above and hassome training/experience related to their business idea;
  • Applicant must be a resident of the town or province where the ecotourism site is located for a minimum of two (2) years;
  • At least high graduate and of good moral character;
  • Entrepreneurs who wish to establish new or expand existing tourism products and/or services may also apply.
  • All applicants must be able to present their business plans / proposals in person to the GREET Screening & Evaluation Committee.

Organizations

  • Community organizations, business associations and local tourism offices based and operating in town or province where an eco-tourism site is located and is duly registered with the appropriate government agency.
  • Merits will be given to organizations that have demonstrated successful delivery of programs for community and/or have a well-developed network of key stakeholders and private sector partners;
  • Must manifest functionality: regular meetings and must have at least a minimum amount of organizational funds to sustain the current operational level of its existing activities and projects (funds from dues, membership fees, and other income generating projects)

Ineligibles:

Members of the organizing committees, implementing officers, partner organizations, and local government offices where the eco-tourism sites are located and their relatives of up to 3rd degree of consanguinity are disqualified from submitting applications and proposals for the grant.

3.2 How to apply?

  1. Interested parties may secure application forms at the Municipal tourism offices, Dept of Tourism Regional Offices, or at the GREET Secretariat Office. Forms can also be downloaded at the GREET Program link at the GREET Website at .
  1. Eligible individuals and organizations are invited to submit for consideration, innovative, creative, well-planned and environment-sustaining business proposals for implementation to chosen ecotourism site. Business Proposals must be based on the GREET Program Business Plan template.
  1. Applicants are encouraged to attend the GREET orientation program to be held in their area;
  1. Applications / Business proposals must be received by the GREET Program Review Committee on the specified deadline;
  1. Applications / Business proposals must be submitted to the DOT Regional Offices or to the:

GREET Secretariat

C/o Travel Trade Sales Department

Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation

4/F LegaspiTowers 300

Roxas Blvd corner Vito Cruz St., Manila

Email:

6. An application that is incomplete (based on the template) will be disqualified.

3.3 Evaluation Process:

  1. Applications will be evaluated in terms of how well they meet the GREET program

Objectives and that Project Proposals should:

  • Encourage the development of an enterprising culture within the local community without jeopardizing or sacrificing the sustainable management of natural and cultural resource of the eco-tourism site;
  • Provide good value for money and with realistic projections or process of implementation;
  • Be technically and financially viable;
  • Promote cultural preservation and respect for indigenous knowledge and practices;
  • Promote environmental education and protection through appropriate plans, standards, policies and practices;
  1. Applications will be assessed and graded through a “Point Rating System” as follows:

Criteria / Points
Originality, uniqueness of the project and creativity / 20
Viability of implementation and projections / 20
Economic impact and job creation / 20
Promotion of natural and cultural preservation / 20
Growth potentials / 20
Total / 100

Winners will be selected on the highest points garnered.

  1. The GREET Program Committee reserves the right to ask applicants with similar projects to consider collaborating in broader partnerships.
  1. The GREET Program Committee reserves the right to impose whatever conditions it deems advisable in acceptance of an application.

3.4 Grants Terms and Conditions:

Successful applicants will enter into a legal agreement with the Department of Tourism (DOT). The Agreement will include conditions such as:

  1. Project will be required to acknowledge the GREET Program. Prominent inclusion of GREET Logo must prominently appear on all promotional materials (printed or electronic) and store / establishment banners.
  2. The legal agreement will address terms and conditions that include but are not limited to:
  3. Milestones, deliverables and performance measures
  4. Project budget
  5. Project managements
  6. Mode and schedule of Grant releases
  7. Accountability Framework
  8. Communication Strategies
  9. Contract default and termination clauses with associated remedies
  10. Monitoring and reporting requirements, including 6 months progress report; financial audits and other reports that may be required.
  1. The GREET Program Committee reserves the right to reproduce, use publish and distribute any intellectual property that has arisen out of the project to help promote the program.
  1. Progress Reports by the grantee will be required every 6 months for two years and will include progress on project deliverables, results, and budget. Templates for such reports will be provided by GREET.
  1. GREET Program Committee has the right to recover funds based on non-performance of contractual agreement.

Outstanding Grant recipients will be given incentives and recognition at the end of the GREET Program or during the Kalakbay Awards.

4. Marketing and Promotions

4.1 Development of an effective communication approach

The following communication tools will be developed to motivate greater interest among a wide range of stakeholders at the national and local levels, as well as the international community.

Logo and slogan/tagline logo

Flyers/Brochures/Posters/Billboards

4.2Presentation and Media Launch

Road Show Presentation

Radio / Media launch

Publicity Releases

4.3Implementation of efficient marketing and promotion activities

Production and dissemination of information, education and communication materials will facilitate understanding of ecotourism principles among stakeholders. Using the banner sites as images, the Philippines will be established as an international ecotourism destination. The banner sites will not only create awareness among ecotourists of the diverse products that the country can offer but develop pride of place among the Filipinos. Promoting the GREET program will involve the following activities:

Public relations and publicity

Media invitational program

Special interest tour operators’ familiarization trips

Special and/or multi-sports events such as surfing competition, expedition, white water rafting race, canoeing race, and competitions to reinforce the image.

Special interest tour packages to be developed by tour operators. Maybe, initiate a $1 donation as “conservation fee” to bring back the benefits to the community.

5. Awarding by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

It would be more meaningful for President Arroyo to award the winners of the GREET program. Tentative schedule will be as follows:

Area / Venue (Proposed) / Schedule
South Luzon / Donsol / 1st Week of September 2007
North Luzon / Hundred Islands / 1st Week of September 2007
Visayas / Bohol / 3rd Week of September 2007
Mindanao / Misamis Oriental / 3rd Week of September 2007

6. Monitoring

A system for monitoring and evaluation will be designed and institutionalized at the national, regional and site level.

The DOT Regional Offices will monitor the businesses, evaluate the level of implementation and identify the gaps in the implementation. A status report will be submitted to the GREET Executive Committee bi-annually.

  1. WORKPLAN / IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE

PROGRAM DURATION: January to September 2007

As of 18 April 2007

Activities / Responsibility / Implementation Date
Finalize concept paper and budget for approval / Secretariat / 2nd week December 2006
Finalize Task Force / Organizing Committee / 4th week November 2006
Funding Release / Finance / 3rd week January 2006
Task Force Meetings / Organizing Committee / January – September 2007
Logo and slogan development / Secretariat / September 2006
Production of promotional materials / Secretariat / 4th week January 2007
Website production / Secretariat / 4th week January 2007
PR & Publicity / Secretariat / February – September 2007
Promotions & Information Dissemination
Promo Materials Release / Secretariat
DOT Regional Offices / 3rd week of February 2007
Official Launch in Donsol, Sorsogon / Secretariat / TBA
Radio Launch (c/o PIA) (tentative) / Secretariat / April 2007
Roadshow
Leyte – Samar / Secretariat / DOT Regional Offices / April 19 – 20
Dumaguete - Bohol / April 24 – 27
Butuan – LakeSebu – Davao – Cagayan de Oro / April 30 – May 4
Palawan / May 7 – 9
Banaue – Tuguegarao / May 21 – 25
Iloilo / Guimaras / May 28 - 30
PR & Publicity Releases / Secretariat / February to August 2007
Grant Proposals
Period of Application / Regional Offices and Secretariat / February to June 30, 2007
Screening / Screening Committee / Simultaneous with application and will continue until July 2007
Evaluation Period
  • Recommendation and identification of feasible proposals
  • Prioritization for the extension of grants for submission to Secretary Joseph Durano’s final approval
/ Evaluation Committee / July to August 2007
Final Selection of Grant Winners / Evaluation Committee / 1st week of August 2007
Official Advise to Grant Recipients / Secretariat / 2nd week of August 2007
Awarding
(Dependent on PGMA’s Schedule) / Secretariat, Office of the President / 2nd week to 3rd week of September 2007
First Leg > North and South Luzon
2nd Leg > Visayas and Mindanao
Monitoring / Monitoring Committee
DOT Regional Offices / October 2007 onwards

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