DOT Region 02 Empowering Local Communities with 17 Homestay Owners Trained in Itbayat, Batanes
The Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 02, in partnership with the Local Government Unit of Itbayat, successfully concluded the 7-day Homestay Pilipinas Program Training, producing 17 graduates ready to elevate community-based tourism in the northernmost municipality of the Philippines held on April 20-26, 2026. The Homestay Pilipinas Program is a flagship initiative of the DOT that supports homeowners in generating additional income from the comfort of their homes while offering tourists an authentic and immersive cultural experience. The training equips participants with formal and systematic procedures to accommodate guests with exceptional standards of service.
Over the 7-day program, the training tapped multi-agency experts in partnership with the Local Government Unit of Itbayat. The first-day kicked-off with series of lecture-sessions on the Tourism Situationer, profiling tourists, and identifying target markets aligned with the municipality’s existing tourism circuits. The topics drew in first aid, sanitation, and health protocols to ensure guest safety by Dr. Millicent Nadine E. Dela Cruz of the Rural Health Unit. The Bureau of Fire Protection – Itbayat conducted fire safety orientation, evacuation planning, and hands-on fire extinguisher drills to prepare every home for emergencies. To ensure homeowners are equipped to prioritize tourist safety and security, Patrolman Amante Baggay of PNP-Itbayat facilitated a session on security protocols, guest protection measures, and community policing in tourism areas. He also highlighted the deployment of Tourist Police in designated sites to further safeguard visitors and assist tourism frontliners. Anchored on the principles of safety and security, a hybrid session on Child-Safe Tourism was led by Mr. Eryl Patrick Agustin, emphasizing the critical role of the tourism sector in safeguarding children to adopt child protection policies as well as in strengthening reporting mechanisms, and fostering collaboration among public and private sector in promoting responsible tourism.
To strengthen hospitality operations, Mr. Frederick B. Samiling led an intensive lineup of topics on Guest Reception and Hosting Procedures, covering proper check-in, guest relations, and service standards. Participants engaged in hands-on immersion activities, including demonstrations on housekeeping services (towel folding, table napkin folding) and food & beverage presentation highlighting Ivatan Kulinarya for authentic table settings. The simulation was further enriched by Mr. Jerome Jay Cabugao, who shared expert tips and techniques on innkeeping. To further elevating service quality, Mr. Protogenes A. Galarion facilitated sessions on the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE), translating Mabuhay hospitality and the seven Filipino core values—Maka-Diyos, Makatao, Makakalikasan, Makabansa, Masayahin, May Bayanihan, and May Pag-asa—into tangible, guest-centered service.
The participants gained essential knowledge over the 7-day training. With these skills, the new homestay owners are set to build confidence in boosting Itbayat’s appeal as a safe and welcoming destination. The Local Government Unit of Itbayat, represented by Hon. Dyan G. Gutierrez, expressed sincere gratitude to the DOT-R2, trainers and participants for their invaluable contributions to this milestone in community-based tourism. The collective effort of various stakeholders underscores the importance of collaboration in achieving shared goals for the community. This strong partnership reflects a unified commitment to empowering local communities and advancing sustainable tourism development in the area that creates meaningful opportunities for capacity-building and inclusive growth, ensuring that the benefits of tourism are felt widely and sustainably across Itbayat.#