18/09/2026
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF TOURISM IN HILONGOS
Local Tourism Development Planning Workshop I
The Municipality of Hilongos successfully concluded its three-day Local Tourism Development Planning (LTDP) Workshop I held on September 15–17, 2026, at the Function Room, 3rd Floor, LGU Hilongos, Leyte.
The three-day workshop, facilitated by the Department of Tourism – Eastern Visayas (DOT8) headed by Ma. Catherina M. Apostol - OIC Regional Director, brought together LGU officials, tourism stakeholders, and partners in the different sectors in a meaningful learning and planning process toward a more coordinated and sustainable tourism development for Hilongos.
DAY 1 | Tourism Awareness and Governance
The workshop opened with a deeper understanding of tourism and its role in local development, including tourism matters, history and evolution, benefits and impacts, tourism culture, and the importance of governance and stakeholder participation. Participants also explored the DOT mandate, tourism programs, product and market development, tourism standards and regulations, and the roles of tourism stakeholders.
DAY 2 | Tourism Assessment and the LTDP Planning Framework
Participants delved into the LTDP planning framework, learning how to understand and assess local tourism resources, identify opportunities and development gaps, map and evaluate tourism assets, and define the LGU’s tourism vision and development goals. The current status of the municipality’s tourism programs was also presented as part of the planning process.
DAY 3 | Local Tourism Development Plan Formulation
The final day moved from vision to action—translating the municipality’s tourism vision into development strategies, programs, projects, and activities (PPAs). Participants worked on priority tourism programs, the LTDP Implementation/Action Matrix, and the initial review of LTDP outputs, culminating in a post-training evaluation, commitment setting, and the distribution of certificates.
More than a three-day workshop, the activity served as a shared space for learning, assessment, collaboration, and collective planning—a step toward building a tourism development direction that reflects Hilongos’ resources, identity, aspirations, and potential.
Tourism is everyone’s business. And building the future of tourism in Hilongos is a shared responsibility.
The Municipality of Hilongos headed by Municipal Mayor, Hon. Manuel R. Villahermosa extends its sincere appreciation to the Department of Tourism – Eastern Visayas, particularly the resource persons and facilitators, for the technical guidance and support throughout the workshop, and to all LGU officials, offices, tourism stakeholders, and partners who actively participated in this important planning process.
ANGAT KA HILONGOSNON!
