Implementation of the Policy on the Regulation of the Use of Single-Use Plastics
November 12, 2025
MAGPET, COTABATO – The University of Southern Mindanao (USM), through its College of Human Ecology and Food Sciences (CHEFS), successfully equipped local women in Barangay Bongolanon with vital tourist guiding and livelihood skills on November 7, 2025, to significantly enhance the community’s tourism capacity.
The whole-day capacity-building activity, titled “Developing Bongolanon’s Tourism Brand” under the HERO Project, was designed to bolster local tourism through livelihood development and enterprise creation. The focus was on empowering women to produce unique, high-quality products for tourists.
The training, held at the Bongolanon covered court, featured demonstrations in virgin coconut oil (VCO) production and banana chips making, along with a lecture on proper food handling and packaging by Ms. Monique Camaddo. Participants reinforced their learning with a return demonstration facilitated by Prof. Maribelle T. Piamonte and Mr. Michael Jordan.
Punong Barangay Suarez Apan underscored the urgency of preparing the community to capitalize on the growing tourism in the area.
“Kinahanglan tanan nga kung naay kaayohan nga ilahang dalhon sa atoang barangay moagi gyud kini sa atoa. Kining training nga atoang makatun-an karon, magamit nato sa pang-adlaw-adlaw, labi na sa pag-cater nato sa mga turista ug sa pagkat-on paghimo og banana chips,” (“We must ensure that any positive benefit brought to our barangay passes through us. The skills we learn in this training, especially in customer service and making banana chips, will be useful in our daily lives, particularly when catering to tourists,”) he said.
Participant Riza Ipal noted the dual benefit of the initiative.
“Ang tour guiding makatabang nato unsaon pag-atubang sa turista ug pag-showcase sa kultura ug tourist sites sa atoang barangay. Nalipay pud ko nga nakat-unan namo ang pag-prepare og banana chips nga pwede ibaligya sa pasalubong center. (“The tour guiding will help us in dealing with tourists and showcasing our culture and sites. I am also happy we learned to prepare banana chips that we can sell at the souvenir center,” ) Ipal shared, before expressing hope for the provision of cooking utensils to help them start immediately.
HERO Project Leader Prof. Avegale S. Roy of USM-CHEFS delivered the closing remarks, highlighting the initiative’s broader objective.
“This training is more than just learning how to produce banana chips or VCO. It is about empowering communities to take charge of their resources, improve their income, and strengthen the local economy,” Roy stated.
The training was held in partnership with the 72nd Infantry Battalion, 10th Infantry Division, represented by 2LT Thomas Isaac Aoyang and SGT. Minard Portaje, who provided essential security and support.
This initiative underscores USM’s commitment to advancing community-based tourism by directly translating academic expertise into tangible livelihood skills, ensuring that the benefits of growing tourism are captured directly by community members.
Ritchel O. Torres
