A Boholano in the forefront of tourism has been an effective channel of development the seeps through the grassroots level.

This is how the academe regard First District Representative Edgar Chatto, who has been a blessing to Bohol for being in the forefront of policy-making that redounds to the country’s full beneficial use of tourism, an engine of economy and a bridge of peoples in diverse cultures, creeds and colors.

Holy Name University (HNU) president, Fr. Francisco Estepa, thanked the man “for the learning”. Fr. Estepa was referring to Chatto, who chairs the House Committee on Tourism and the principal author, in Congress, of the milestone Tourism Act of 2009.

The Boholano congressman consumed hours in his PowerPoint presentation and open forum interactions with tourism students on the law and theme “Promoting a Sustainable Tourism Industry, An Effective Tool in Poverty Alleviation.”

The students, who belong to the Convention, Exhibition & Event Management Class or TOUR 116 Class of the HNU College of Business and Accountancy, co-initiated with the university and provincial government the activity held at Bohol Tropics on September 24 to mark the World Tourism Week.

Provincial Board Member Alfonso Damalerio II presented the Bohol Tourism Code, while Provincial Tourism Officer Jo Remolador-Cabarrus cited the essence of the tourism week celebration.

HNU College of Business and Accountancy dean, Dr. Jemma Jay, congratulated the tourism students for being so relevant to the time as this year’s signing itself into law of the Tourism Act.

Rockbed principles are now laid for tourism to create more investments, revenues, services, jobs, and even foods, industry stakeholders said.

Chatto said tourism might have been regarded in the past as an elitist, imperialist industry but which perception is no longer holds water today.

He stressed that tourism is now linked to poverty alleviation, job generation, agricultural enhancement, food production, etcetera. It also causes peace initiatives.

The law presentation and open forum were also attended by representatives from stakeholder local government units and non-government organizations. Policewomen came to listen, too.

Chatto said all inputs in the event are invaluable to the tourism students who will man the industry frontlines sooner or later.

The law was not polished to timelessness by accident since it came into being as a fruition of efforts identifying industry weaknesses and strengths, its wastes and potentials, declared Chatto who was the only Philippine congressman to preside and moderate one of the four major plenary sessions of the United Nations - World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) 6th International Tourism Forum for Parliamentarians and Local Authorities last year.

The HNU president told the tourism students that one effective way to learn is to listen to the wisdom of he who knows the craft.

Estepa compared the present tourism students to trees not planted 25 years ago but who can bear fruits tomorrow because they are well sown today.

Chatto emphasized the vision for Bohol as a prime eco-cultural tourism destination and a balanced agro-industrial province.

Chatto had then been offered the seat of the House electoral tribunal and other influential congressional bodies, but he chose—”after really planning for them”—the chairmanship of the tourism committee, senior vice chairmanship of the agriculture committee and vice chairmanship of education committee.

On this note, he dared the students to be firm in their plan and make impact by making sure that their initiatives dovetail development.

It is not hard to radically transform the province into one of the strongest pillars of tourism in the country so long as the Boholanos can strategize with the changes of time and demand, the lawmaker said.

The tourism students were led to the presentation and open forum by their class chief executive officer, Leah Flor Ibarra, adviser Agnes Estrera, and Tourism and Hospitality Management Department Coordinator Lutgarda Puerta.

“Gone were the days when Bohol was yet an insignificant island-province. Bohol is now famous, a choice, and visited. Bohol has mapped up into an island for the world,” Chatto said. (Ven rebo Arigo)