‘One Visayas’ to foster unity among its three regions

ILOILO CITY, March 11 (PNA) – The ‘One Visayas’ event is being seen as an avenue to foster unity among local government units (LGUs) coming from Western, Central and Eastern Visayas regions.

This was emphasized by Tourism regional director Edwin Trompeta as he cited that Visayas is the only region in the country that is “separated by waters” unlike the landlocked regions of Luzon and Mindanao.

“They are all connected and they can meet together at anytime. Whereas in our case we identified ourselves by islands,” he explained.

“It’s one way of emphasizing the oneness of the Visayas people,” he added.

Through the event, Trompeta added that they also would like to “give meaning to the tourism highway” where Central Visayas is included under the super regions program of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Further, he mentioned that a lot of activities that are happening in the three regions under the philosophy of “integrated development.”

He disclosed that the German government-assisted programs on tourism and trade are focused on the three regions of Visayas.

Likewise, the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) is also developing a program encompassing the said regions.

“It is a way of putting development in the three regions all at the same time, especially that Region 8 has been left behind in terms of development,” he added.

Trompeta added that the previous ‘One Visayas’ likewise brought a realization that development should not just be limited in an island.

“Although there are reasons for island development, it has to get not only the participation but resources from other islands,” he stressed citing skills and talents and even power development.

The ‘One Visayas’, which is being spearheaded by the Regional Development Committee composed of the three Regional Development Councils (RDCs), will kick off on March 11 and will culminate on March 14.

A total of 16 provinces are expected to join the four-day event with the Cebu province as having the biggest delegation.(PNA)
LDV/PGLena