MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is truly never alone in its fight to develop its entire place as it has comrades ready to work hand-in-hand. 

Among these is the Department of Tourism (DOT)-10 which is opening its doors for collaborations. 

DOT-10 Regional Director Marie Elaine Unchuan bared that they have a campaign for Mindanao regions called Colors of Mindanao which aims to show the true colors of the entire island, including its culture, food and sites.

Stressing that Mindanao will not be Mindanao without the Bangsamoro region, she said they make sure to involve the aforementioned place in their initiatives. 

Unchuan also conveyed that they already have a good relationship with the Lanao del Sur province as far as they are promoting the Maranao culture in the region.

She shared that they have been advancing relevant programs such as implementing Muslim-friendly standard that pushes for Muslim-friendly travel and culinary tourism. 

Now, Unchuan stated that they are trying to promote Halal since there are a lot of Muslims in her region and they are trying to get the Muslim market. 

She underlined that they would like their restaurants and hotels to have Halal-certified or Muslim-friendly seals. 

Unchuan underlined that the Bangsamoro region can help in this initiative as it holds a lot of experts on the said matter. 

She maintained that they could not only be excellent resource persons but also reliable testament who could show how their restaurants prepare their food following the Halal standard. 

“Marami tayong matutunan pa (We still have a lot to learn). Muslims are the best resource persons for itong (this) Halal and Muslim-friendly travel,” said Unchuan. 

As for strategies that can be adopted, the DOT-10 regional director further underscored that there are a lot of matters in her region which can be benchmarked by other regions, especially since they have many products brought about by their sun and beach, culinary, eco, nature-based and sports tourism. 

She also invited visitors from other localities to visit her region as there are tour packages in place. 

Unchuan added that their local government units can also be good resources for tips or best practices on how to establish tourism products in the Bangsamoro region and the province here in particular. 

The DOT-10 has been a firm believer that the Lanao del Sur province has a lot of products and bears potential, taking into account the cultural village such as in Tugaya town, faith tourism as promoted by the mosques, and Maranao cuisines which have a distinct taste. 

Accordingly, the only thing that is needed is to have a little push and guidance on how to package the assets and transform them into tourism products so that tourists would be enticed to visit.

Meanwhile, on advancing the Halal industry, Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism (MTIT)-Lanao del Sur Senior Tourism Operations Officer Prince Shoudery Galo affirmed that the Bangsamoro region has indeed been pushing the Halal tourism with the support of its neighboring regions such as the Region 10. 

He stated that they have been giving their all for this advocacy as they benefit from its big market while strengthening their religious beliefs, and the idea of cleanliness and being friendly to their fellow Muslims. 

Receiving enough support for their mission, Galo assured that they are doing their best to promote tourism in the province, especially that it is very blessed with natural and cultural tourism and is located along the travel lanes between Regions 9, 10 and 12, hence, the opportunities awaiting the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). 

He added that they also ensure the best maintenance and preservation of their cultural products, as well as sharing the skills of artisans to the young generation, considering that most of the youth now do not seem to have an interest in cultural history. 

“We have to correct and supplement the wrong perceptions ng ating (of our) young generation. We also have to promote our assets, as well as our performances,” said Galo. (CRG/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)