CebPac launches sustainable

tourism campaign in Bohol

MOADTO STRIP MALL, Panglao, Feb 7 (PIA)—With its unparalleled biodiversity as Bohol’s biggest tourism asset, the country’s leading carrier aircraft Cebu Pacific (CebPac) stretched its identity as the common man’s carrier in a program launched towards sustainable tourism.

Billed as “The Juan Effect,” the program embraces that big idea that one simple daily habit done consistently and collectively by every Juan, can create a big impact in helping preserve, conserve and protect the environment, local culture and heritage,” CebPac VP for marketing Candice Iyog said during a program launch February 7 in a makeshift stage mounted along the pristine beach of Doljo in Panglao.

The program launch bids well for Bohol, whom Provincial Administrator Atty Katherin Pioquinto calls as environmentally significant to the local tourism industry which has brought consistent economic growth to the island, and that the campaign makes a good precedence for Bohol’s children especially when it entails collaboration and cooperation of the private and public sectors. 

Department of interior and Local Government Undersecretary Epimaco Densing II, who also came for the program launch congratulated CebPac for including the communities in its programs.

“For [The Juan Effect] to become sustainable and beneficial for everyone is for governance to do it, explaining further that governance is not just government but everyone taking a lead in making sure everyone is onboard,” Usec. Densing said.

The move, Densing notes, is crucial as he forecasts that tourism will become the country’s top contributing factor for growth in the next decade.

In Bohol where tourism grows by leaps and bounds, CebPac is propping up the economic driver which has created income and employment opportunities for communities with limited job options.

As the market for tourism grows all over the world, so does its impact on the environment, natural resources and local culture. The consequence of unchecked growth of the tourism industry is degradation of natural resources and heritage sites, pollution and several more unintended consequences, VP Iyog cites.

The “Juan Effect," CebPac’s multi sectoral sustainable tourism program is done in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT), supported by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Department of Interior and Local Government.

The “Juan Effect” advocacy engages the local community, the government and tourism stakeholders, in educating travelers about their responsibilities as tourists.

Bohol is one of the best island-destinations in the world, and one of CEB’s most popular destinations, program host and Bohol lover Chelsea Kalaw, admitted, and called for everyone to join and picth in for the environment.

“It is important to strike a balance between growing the tourism industry and preserving the very assets that attract tourists,” said Candice Iyog, Vice President for Marketing and Customer Experience at Cebu Pacific.

We are adopting it as a Juan Effect site to do our part in reminding our travelers to conserve its ecological and cultural treasures.”

Even before Juan Effect Bohol launched, CebPac has put up information campaign through signages installed in Bohol’s most popular tourist attractions like the Chocolate Hills, the Tarsier Sanctuary, Pamilacan Island and the Loboc River Cruise. These multi-lingual signages, made out of recycled wood, carry reminders of simple things to do or behaviors to observe while visiting these attractions.

The information campaign will be amplified online with Juan Effect Ambassadors from different parts of the world.

At the launching, Ceb Pac also introduced its Juan Effect Ambassadors: Jasmine Curtis-Smith (Philippines), Canadian filmmaker Lost LeBlanc, South Korean musician and artist Solbi, and Australian yoga and fitness expert Sjana Elise.

Cebu Pacific is also asking everyone to join them in keeping the Philippine islands clean and beautiful by making a pledge at www.juaneffect.com. (rahchiu/PIA-7/Bohol)

LENDING A HAND. CebPac, when it launched its #JuanEffect campaign in Bohol to sustain the islands tourism jewels is joined by DOT Regional Director Shalimar Tamano, Bohol Administrator Atty Katherin Pioquinto,JuanEffect Ambassadors Australian Sjana Elise, Canadian Christian Blanc, DOT undersecretary Art Boncato, CebPac Candice Iyog, DILG Asec Densing, CebPac Ambassador Jasmine Curtis-Smith (Philippines), South Korean Solbi, and DOT Asec Rica Bueno. (rahchiu/PIA-7/Bohol)