As part of ongoing commitment to support communities affected by natural disasters, the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines successfully conducted the TPB Members’ Inspection Tour with CSR Activity under the Destination Marketing Assistance for Tourism Recovery Program (DMATRP) from May 19 to 23, 2025, in the province of Batanes.
The initiative aimed to foster community resilience, promote volunteerism, and enhance tourism readiness following Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, which significantly impacted the province late last year.
Batanes, the northernmost province of the Philippines, is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and the rich cultural heritage of the Ivatans. Forefronting sustainability, as the sole Philippine member on the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories since 2023, the province’s agriculture, fishery, and tourism-dependent economy faced considerable setbacks following the storm. To help accelerate recovery, TPB brought DMATRP to Batanes, engaging its members in meaningful community-based initiatives.
A key highlight of the CSR component was the ceremonial turnover of tour guide kits, which included vests, lanyards, and first-aid supplies designed to promote safety and professionalism in local tourism operations. TPB also provided roofing materials for the restoration of a traditional Ivatan house in Savidug Village, Sabtang; and donated decal branding stickers to 150 tourist cogon tricycles, a unique tourist mode of transport in Batanes intentionally built with cogon roofs to withstand the sea breeze’s corrosive effects.
Moreover, TPB initiated a donation drive among its members, to support Basco Central School (BCS), which was severely affected by a fire in March of this year. The initiative gathered essential school supplies for both the students and educators, helping them rebuild and continue their learning journey. The donations were personally distributed by TPB, led by Mr. Arnold T. Gonzales, Acting Head of the Domestic Promotions Department.
Gonzales said that through these efforts, TPB reaffirms its dedication to uplifting communities through meaningful and sustainable action. By fostering the spirit of bayanihan among locals and tourism stakeholders, TPB aims to create a lasting impact – equipping communities with both immediate support and long-term tools for sustainable tourism recovery.
“In the spirit of bayanihan, we are here to extend our assistance to our fellow Filipinos in Batanes. Let us remember that these materials are more than just a donation. Instead, these are symbols of our shared commitment to building a community and a tourism sector that values empathy and resilience,” said TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles.
To further strengthen tourism industry ties in the province, Basco State College (BSC) hosted meaningful exchanges between TPB Members and local tourism stakeholders. The discussions explored business opportunities and sustainable tourism development in response to the impacts of both pandemic and natural calamities, particularly typhoons.
With 38 CSR programs implemented nationwide since 2015, TPB remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting local economies through community-driven tourism. The Batanes leg reflects the same guiding values and mission that have shaped previous initiatives.
Reflecting on the event’s success, COO Nograles remarked, “By working together, we ensure that Batanes remains a beacon of resilience and beauty in Philippine tourism.”
TPB extends its sincere gratitude to the members who took part in this collaborative effort to empower Batanes, and to the generous member-donors who contributed to the donation drive for BCS: Asiaventure, Metro Wanderer Travel Services, New World Makati Hotel, Sole Explorer Travel and Tours, Quasar Travel and Tours, and Viva Nomads.