Twenty-four representatives from the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Membership Program headed to Zambales from June 5 to 7, 2024, for a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity. This initiative is a core part of the program, which aims to foster the development and sustainability of the businesses of its stakeholders and the local tourism industry.“Sustainability is a key part of tourism because this practice ensures that our destinations and the communities governing them will be protected for the years to come. By involving our members in CSR programs, we can enlighten them about creative strategies that enable us to promote attractions without negatively impacting our people and our environment,” TPB Chief Operating Officer Margarita Montemayor Nograles said.
Stakeholders from the TPB Membership Program showed their commitment to sustainability by returning to the partner communities involved in last year’s CSR program. The first stop was Sitio Yangil, San Felipe, Zambales where participants toured the village, learned about archery activities and their medicinal plants, and joined a traditional dance called Talipi. They also continued the reforestation efforts by planting over 600 seeds of jackfruit and kupang, which are a great addition to the calamansi seeds they had previously planted in the area.
The participants also returned to Alon and Araw Club in Capangan, Zambales, to see how the club engages the local youth in beach clean-up, sports, and learning opportunities. In addition, they participated in plastic sorting and washing activities to learn how to prepare single-use material for recycling. They also discovered creative ways to reuse the washed material as they stuffed the plastics into pillows.
Aside from continuing the previous sustainability efforts, the TPB members went to Sambali Beach Farm for the first time to help clean up the shores of Botolan, Zambales. During their time on the farm, agricultural expert Mr. Philip Camara taught them how to make biochar, a carbonized biomass recycled from coffee pulp, cogon grass, pinecones, driftwood, and other wastes from organic materials. Camara explained that this recycled organic material is useful in agriculture to boost plant growth, enhance soil fertility, and retain water.
The TPB members further showed their support to the partner communities in Zambales by providing livestock, gardening tools, school supplies, clothes, and monetary contributions.
ABOUT TPB
An attached agency of the Department of Tourism, the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) exists to market and promote the Philippines domestically and internationally as a world-class tourism and MICE destination, in strategic partnership with private and public stakeholders to deliver a unique high-value experience for visitors, significantly contributing to increased arrivals, receipts, and investments to the country. For more information, please visit www.tpb.gov.ph.
Reference:
April Rose M. Enerio
Acting Division Chief
Media Relations and Communications Division
[email protected]
