Sevilla-Loboc Community Enterprises in Support of Ecological-Cultural Tourism (SLCE-EcoTour) Project

The project contributed to the reduction of poverty in the community through the establishment of community-based enterprise which supported ecological-cultural tourism. Tourist destination had been developed and popularized giving increased earning opportunities to the People’s Organization (PO) and their members. In Ewon-Lobgob, Sevilla, Bohol, the Sipatan Hanging Bridge complex was improved and converted into a prime ecological tourism destination giving increase income to the PO and barangay members.

These was derived from the augmented toll fee collections of P700.00 a month to P3,000.00 a month. The Lobgob Mother’s Association (LMA) members were trained on handicraft production and sold their products at the tourist shop which was constructed by the project. The twelve entrepreneurs renting stalls at the tourist sho p had average sales at P1,000.00 daily while previously they had none. A Butterfly Garden was created across the bridge as an added attraction to the tourist as well as the planting of host plants. A group of children was organized and trained as the Ewon Children’s Rondalla who played at the Sipatan Complex on weekends and holidays for a fee. A brochure was produced and distributed to the tourist and tour operators and included the area as part of the Choco Tour Package. Training on enterprise management, organizational development, leadership development, gender sensitivity, circuit development planning and environment were conducted. The project has been given over to the Municipality of Loboc and by an ordinance, the net income is apportioned between the municipality, barangay and people’s organization. The bridge was ruined with the aftermath of Typhoon Seniang, but the community was able to rebuild two bridges instead. The beneficiaries continued to enjoy the influx of tourist every day.