The Ambaguio Skyport is the winning project of the prestigious and first ever Tourism Champions Challenge (TCC).
The TCC is a program by the Department of Tourism – Philippines (DOT), in partnership with the Tourism Infrastructure And Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).
This remarkable achievement comes with a 20 million pesos as 1st place prize for tourism infrastructure initiatives.
During the awarding ceremony that took place at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on April 15, 2024, the president of the Philippines, Bongbong Marcos, gave an additional 5 million grant to the project, making the award total to 25 million pesos.
Our Commitment:
- SAFE
- STANDARDIZED
- SATISFYING
FAQs
Who initiated the winning proposal for Ambaguio?
The project was initiated by the Ambaguio LGU, headed by it’s tourism officer Nuepe Manuel Jr., under the leadership of its mayor Ronelio Danao, and it’s private partner, the Nueva Vizcaya Paragliding by the United Grassroots and Tribes Paragliding Association, headed by it’s founder, Violet Lucasi.
How many entries where there?
The TCC witnessed an overwhelming response, with close to a hundred submissions pouring in from LGUs across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. These proposals underwent a rigorous evaluation process, ensuring fairness and impartiality, facilitated by the DOT Regional Offices and the TCC Committee.
How where the winners selected?
The best project proposals were selected according to these criteria: resiliency, inclusivity, and sustainable development (20 percent); relevance to the “Challenge” theme (10 percent); project objective and impact to tourism (20 percent); economic and financial viability (20 percent); sustainability mechanism (15 percent); and, presentation quality (15 percent).
Who were the winners?
In Luzon, the five LGUs are Ambaguio, Nueva Vizcaya for Ambaguio Skyport – The 1st Local Paragliding “Airport Terminal” in the Philippines (1st place); Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro for Pinagpalabg Lagusan sa Bakawan: A Mangrove Forest Park Development (2nd place); Bolinao, Pangasinan for Legacy of the Sea Project: A Silaki Island Community-Based Tourism Project (3rd place); San Jose, Romblon for Eco-Tourism Park Socorro (4th place); and Oriental Mindoro for Naujan Lake Wetlands Center (5th place).
In Visayas, the five winner LGUs are Tubigon, Bohol for Enchanted Ilijan Plug of Tubigon (1st); Badian, Cebu for Badian Toong Spring Nature Park (2nd); Silago, Southern Leyte for Silago Ridge to Reef Eco-Experience Project: Promoting Sustainability through Eco-Heritage Tourism (3rd place); Victorias City, Negros Occidental for Gawahon, A Birder’s Paradise: Haven for Sustainable and Inclusive Eco-Tourism (4th place); and Panay, Capiz for Panay: A Coastal Resource Experience (5th place).
In Mindanao, the five winners are Isabela City, Basilan for Lampinigan SANDS: The Lampinigan Jetty Port and Leisure Development Project (1st place); Davao City, Davao del Sur for Panunod: A Way of Life, Inherited Preservation of the Unwavering Legacy of Cultural and Sustainable Tourism of the Davao City (2nd place); Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte for Mangrove Boardwalk and Gallery (3rd place); Tagum City, Davao del Norte for Truly Tagum: Advancing the Benefits of an Enriched Heritage-Tourism Circuit (4th place); and San Agustin, Surigao del Sur for Tourist Catwalk at Gata to Bretania Mangrove Areas (5th place).
The first place winners received PHP20 million; second place winners, PHP15 million; third place winners, PHP10 million; fourth place winners, PHP8 million; and fifth place winners, PHP 7 million.
After the awarding ceremony, Marcos announced that the TIEZA approved the additional PHP5 million budget for each winner of the TCC.
Ambaguio Skyport 