DAVAO CITY(February 2) — Newly appointed Officer-in-Charge of the Davao City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) Willenito P. Tormis said Davao City’s community-based tourism program will prioritize upland and coastal barangays, with a strong focus on women-led enterprises and youth employment alongside support for farmers and fisherfolk.
Tormis said the city is targeting the identification of pilot communities within the first half of the year, focusing on areas with tourism potential but limited economic opportunities and inadequate basic facilities.
“Daghan pa kaayo’g areas sa upland ug coastal barangays nga gwapo kaayo pero wala pa ma-develop,” he said, adding that many households rely on seasonal farming and fishing incomes.
Women, youth at the core of livelihood plan
Under the program, women’s groups and youth organizations will be encouraged to lead homestay operations, food and souvenir production, tour coordination, and visitor services, while young residents will be trained as local guides, safety marshals, digital promoters, and tourism support staff.
Tormis said the goal is to turn tourism into a supplementary, community-managed income source, particularly for women and out-of-school youth who often have limited access to formal employment.
“Dugang income ni para sa pamilya. Dili lang ni para sa iilan,” he said.
Protecting fisherfolk livelihoods
In coastal barangays, tourism activities will be designed to complement fishing, not disrupt it. Fisherfolk may earn from regulated boat tours, seafood experiences, and cultural storytelling, especially during closed seasons or bad weather.
“Dili ni ilisan ang panginabuhian sa mangingisda. Dugang income ni siya labi na kung hinay ang huli,” Tormis said.
Clear standards, measurable targets
The CTOO will require pilot sites to meet minimum readiness standards — including proper comfort rooms, a receiving or information area, and trained community personnel — before being promoted.
The city will tap tourism funds and partner with the Department of Tourism (DOT) to support skills training and infrastructure, with a target of securing DOT accreditation for the first batch of community-based tourism sites within the year.
Dedicated unit, sustained monitoring
To avoid stalled projects, Tormis said he is pushing for the creation of a Community-Based Tourism unit within the CTOO, tasked with coordinating funding, tracking timelines, and monitoring livelihood outcomes, particularly for women and youth.
“This is not a one-time project. Daghan kaayo’g buhaton ani, mao nga kinahanglan naa gyud’y tutok nga unit,” he said.
Community consent remains key
Tormis stressed that barangay consultations will guide implementation, ensuring tourism plans reflect community priorities and capacity.
“Sila man gud ang naa sa ground. Gusto nato mahibal-an unsa ilang gusto ug unsa ilang kaya buhaton,” he said.
The CTOO OIC said success will be measured not just by visitor arrivals, but by women- and youth-led enterprises created, additional household income, and improved facilities in far-flung barangays.
As Davao City positions itself for a sustained tourism recovery, Tormis said the challenge is to translate plans into visible, verifiable gains for communities — especially women, youth, and fisherfolk often left at the margins of tourism growth.
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