Humakot ng parangal ang Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Cagayan (PGC) sa naganap na Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) Pearl Awards 2024 sa Koronadal City, South Cotabato ngayong Huwebes, Oktubre 10, 2024.

Sa unang pagkakataon, hinirang na Grand Winner ang PGC bilang Best Practices in Community-Based Tourism (Provincial Category) ang Callao Caves Eco-tourism Zone. Pinarangalan namang 1st Runner-up ang Cagayan Museum and Historical Research Center sa Best Institutionalized Culture and Arts Program (Provincial Level), at 2nd Runner-up ang Provincial Farm School and Agri-tourism Center sa Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism (Provincial Level).

Tinanggap naman ng PGC ang mga parangal sa pangunguna ni Atty. Mabel Villarica-Mamba, Unang Ginang at kinatawan ni Governor Manuel Mamba kasama sina EnP. Jenifer Junio-Baquiran, Provincial Tourism Officer; Niño Kevin Baclig, Cagayan Museum Curator; Pearlita Lucia Mabasa, Cagayan Farm School Administrator and Overseer of Agriculture Programs and Projects of PGC; Alexander Troy Miano, Regional Director ng Department of Tourism Region 02, ilang mga Municipal Tourism Officer ng Cagayan, at mga empleyado ng PGC.

Ayon kay Junio-Baquiran, ang mga parangal na ito ay patunay ng masugid na dedikasyon ng liderato ni Governor Manuel Mamba upang isulong at patuloy na itaguyod ang turismo sa lalawigan.

“This is a testament to our province’s commitment to excellence in tourism. This recognition reflects the strong leadership of Gov. Mamba and the collaborative efforts of our Provincial Government departments. It is the stakeholder-centered approach that has allowed us to craft sustainable, inclusive, and innovative programs. Always for the Cagayanos. Indeed, endless ang fun sa Cagayan,” ani Junio-Baquiran.

Ang pagtataguyod at pagsulong ng industriya ng turismo sa Cagayan ang isa sa mga naging prayoridad ni Gov. Mamba simula nang maupo siya bilang ama ng lalawigan. Sa unang dalawang taon niya, tiniyak niya ang pagtatayo ng imprastraktura at pagkakaroon ng tourism activities sa iba’t ibang tourism sites ng PGC. Sinimulan din ang iba’t ibang capacity-building activities sa mga stakeholder ng turismo kung saan naging sentro ang participatory, sustainable tourism. Ngayon nakatuon ang administrasyon ni Gov. Mamba sa pagbubukas ng Cagayan sa international market. “Cagayan has the vast potentials in the international trade and we want to open up globally to spur economic growth in the province. Tourism is one of the best potentials of Cagayan and we have the resources, from natural resources, cultural heritage, to hospitable and hardworking people,” sambit ni Gov. Mamba. Aniya, ang lahat ng ginawa ng PGC sa ilalim ng kanyang liderato ay nakatuon sa kinabukasan ng mga Cagayano at ng mga susunod na henerasyon. “We are doing so we can leave a legacy for our children and our children’s children,” diin niya.

Noong nakaraang taon itinanghal na 2nd Runner-up Best Video for Tourism Promotions Award ang “Endless Fun, Cagayan” Tourism video at Top 4 Best Tourism-Oriented LGU (Provincial Level) ang PGC sa ATOP Pearl Awards.

Samantala, wagi rin ang bayan ng Sanchez Mira na hinirang na Best Event Hosting 2nd Runner-up (Municipal Level) sa kanilang 4th International Summit on Grey-faced Buzzard and Migratory Raptors.

Nanalo rin ang Rehiyon Dos sa iba’t ibang katergorya sa naganap na parangal. Kabilang dito ang Best Souvenir Non-Food Grand Winner (City Level) ang Gaddang beads ng Cauayan City, Best Brochure Grand Winner (Municipal Level) ang Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya; Best Brochure 1st Runner-up (Provincial Level) ang PGC Nueva Vizcaya, Best Tourism Month Celebration 2nd Runner-up ang Santiago City (City Level), Best National Tourism Week Celebration 2023 (Best Tourism Week Celebration) 2nd Runner-up ang PGC Isabela (Provincial Level), Best Sports Tourism 2nd Runner-up ang King of the Mountain Trail ng Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya (Municipal Level), Best Sports Tourism 2nd Runner-up ang Sports Extravaganza ng Cauayan City (City Level), Smart and Sustainable Cauayan City Best Practices on MICE Management 2nd Runner-up (City Level), at Best Institutionalized Culture and Arts Program 2nd Runner-up ang Rat-ratan ng Echague, Isabela.