Mayor Kwan shared in nat’l forum how Guiuan became 2nd class town

GUIUAN, Eastern Samar — From a fifth income class, this municipality has transformed into a second income class with vibrant business and investment hub for tourism plus micro, small and medium enterprises through the implementation of Local and Regional Economic Development (LRED).

Mayor Annaliza Kwan said that through the technical assistance of the Department of Trade and Industry and the Private Sector Promotion Program of German Development Cooperation (GIZ), the town was able to increase jobs, investments and competitiveness of its tourism industry.

“Serving for three terms as mayor has been very rewarding despite the difficulties. But I am proud to share my experiences to other local government units so that they may get ideas on how to improve their local economy,” Kwan said.

Kwan delivered her local governance experience at the National Forum on Regional Economic Development on October 11, 2012 at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati.

“When I became the mayor in 2004, Guiuan lacked basic infrastructure and utilities. Trade and industry was not vibrant
thus making our progress too slow. Then I embarked on a tourism development program after seeing the potentials we have,” Kwan said.

Kwan added that to propel Guiuan’s development, she made partnerships with several government and non-government programs, one of which was LRED.

“As an LRED trained local chief executive with capacitated constituency, we had a vibrant public and private partnership. It promoted local economic development with everyone doing their share for the progress of the town,” the mayor said.

Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) was created and business permits and licensing system was streamlined. As a result, the number of business permits increased from 1,380 in 2010; 1,549 in 2011 and 1,696 in 2012.

“We had an average growth of 12% valued at P5.3 million. Our total revenues have increased by 99.9% between 2004 to 2011. Our locally generated revenues have grown at 10% annually or at 83% over the past eight years,” Kwan said.

The town has also posted its first budget surplus in 2011 and economic enterprise operations generated was about P6.2 million in 2011.

“To date, we could see new business establishments from shopping to food centers, accommodation and support facilities like new hospitals, retail, service, transport, among others,” Kwan added.

Among the public-private partnerships the town has embarked include the organization of about 54 micro-entrepreneurs and the establishment of Tourism Information and Pasalubong Center.    

The Guiuan Chamber of Commerce was also reactivated; the Guiuan Lawn Tennis Association was assisted to build tennis courts to provide free clinics to children; local surfers organized which eventually handled national surfing competition for eight straight years.

The mayor added that the local Tourism office, Radyo Nation station, and several media organizations in town have forged to create the Guiuan Media Bureau (GMB) with the aim of promoting the town as a prime tourist destination in the Visayas.

As a result, tourist arrivals have increased: 3,532 in 2010; 4,893 in 2011; ad 6,522 in 2012.

Consequently, the local government unit has received several awards to include the consistent cleanest and greenest municipality in Eastern Samar; national finalist and regional winner in the One Town One Product (OTOP) on eco-tourism development; Commission on Audit (COA) award as one of the best financially managed LGU; COA award of excellence; Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) seal of good housekeeping award and performance challenge fund award.

“Considering our potentials and our preparations, we are determined to make Guiuan an ideal tourist destination. It is an alternative economic activity which can provide considerable income to the people of Guiuan and this will boost our economic base,” Kwan said.

“We are now confident, determined and well guided than before. With the support from all sectors and the help of DTI and GIZ, Guiuan will soar to greater heights,” she added. (REYAN L. ARINTO)  Leyte Samar Daily Express