ARON ANG TANAN MASAYOD LGU Loboc Information Material on the Turno System of Boat Operation Backgrounder: The turno was already suggested during the time of Mayor Leon Calipusan. However, the Boat Operators then did not want to be a party to it because guests were still pouring, that is, they still were enjoying happy days. This year, 2013, the Boat Operators felt the pain of the declining tourist arrivals. Series of meetings were conducted together with the 4 Boat Operators (Walter Sultan, Mary Jo Varquez, Sonia Balbido and Teresita Sumampong). It was during these times that the turno system was revived. The following challenges were identified: 1. Declining arrivals • Bohol-wide • Temporary closure of Bailey Bridge which is the main access to the tourism complex due to ongoing construction of a modern two-lane bridge. • Customers’ complaints on food. Not enough for the guests or refill comes late. The existing set-up is, all 4 Boat Operators receive guests individually. Since there is non-predictability in the number of guests, food is cooked and served by batch. Hence, the delay or the lack of food. Complaints have been heard from unhappy guests • Late departure of boats There is an existing 30 minute rule – the boat has to depart 30 minutes from the time the first passenger comes on board. This is monitored by the Tourism Office. Since there is a dearth of guests, in their hope of having additional guests, boat crew tend to extend the 30-minute policy when not attended by the Tourism Office staff • Cut-throat competition Boat Operators’ declared profit is not more than P20/pax. With the current situation where there is competition among themselves, some are increasing the commission in the hope of having more guests. The result - increase in commission, decrease in quality and quantity of food served, low salaries of workers and running on negative in the hope of gaining in the coming months, a very big sacrifice on the part of the operators 2. Soil Erosion Boats are underutilized which are running below its capacity. As per the study, erosion is caused by the waves produced by the boats. For the months of January to September 2013, there were 251,071 guests who were accommodated in 5559 trips. Supposedly, if fully utilized, it would only incur an approximate 4,564.93 trips. There were unnecessary 994.07 trips that amounted to P2,783,396 lost or good money going down the drain. Valuing the environment, the unnecessary 994.07 trips for ten (10) months had caused environmental damage that should not have been experienced. More importantly, our tourism industry is anchored in our environment, particularly our river. If this is damaged further, what would become of our tourism industry? What would be its effects on us Lobocanons? Conclusion: An immediate solution has to be implemented as soon as possible to address existing concerns for the benefit of the tourists and residents who are the center of our activities. LGU Loboc is always proactive in adopting alternatives for the benefit of all. We can always adopt new and better plans in the future. LGU’s Immediate Solution: Boats’ departure on a TURNO basis. Impacts: 1. Lack of food and delay in the refill would no longer be experienced since operators would now cook food good for 45 persons (as the agreed capacity) unlike the current situation where there is hesitance on the part of the B.O. to cook more due to the non-predictability of the number of guests. 2. Fast turn-around of boats, a big possibility that the 30-minute allocation would not be consumed 3. Control over commission, therefore, food budget would not be lessened. 4. Boats would be fully utilized which will be running on its approximate capacity. 5. Soil erosion would be lessened brought about by the reduction in the number of trips. Turno Guidelines: 1. For walk-in customers only. Exclusive and booked guests remain to be the respective Boat Operators’ guests. 2. Exclusive guests would mean guests of the same group who belong to one association or company. 3. Food would still be cooked at respective kitchens. 4. Boats that are not included in the turno would be utilized for exclusive guests. 5. The turno is a test run for the direction of having a possible merger among the operators if they do agree in the future , building of confidence and cooperation and a prelude to having only one kitchen for food preparation, thus, close monitoring is ensured. There is already an existing common kitchen facility constructed by the LGU to insure clean, healthy and safe food preparation and easy supervision by the LGU. 6. The turno would run two months from the start of operation. Result of the assessment shall dictate whether to continue the turno or not. At the first meeting, all operators were open to the turno system, paving the way to the second meeting where the 3 operators committed 2 boats except Mrs. Sumampong who committed only 1 boat because as what she said, she had many bookings. Her decision was respected. The plan was scheduled to be implemented in June 2014. Realizing that the problems are very much urgently felt and are affecting negatively the present Loboc tourism industry, everyday counts for an immediate solution! Thus, waiting for the June 2014 implementation is very much delayed and would not solve the problems. A 3rd meeting was called with the presence of all (4) the operators. It was during this time that Mrs. Sumampong declared that she does not want to be in the turno and was willing to receive/accept whatever sanction the LGU would give her. From then on, for meetings regarding the turno, Mrs.Sumampong was no longer called and has not participated in some activities such as benchmarking at Cebu-based restaurants offering buffet meals, expenses shared by the LGU and the operators. This turno was agreed to be implemented by the remaining 3 operators and the LGU on October 21, 2013. Then….October 15, 2013….. the earthquake crumbled our tourism facilities!!!! 3 days after the earthquake, we were determined to rise and to re-open on October 24, 2013. Only 2 out of the 4 gates can be repaired, with the other 2 beyond repair. Work was done day, night and midnight just to be ready to cater to tourists. On October 21, Mayor Helen, having realized that the earthquake’s message is “PAKIGDAIT”, she invited Mr. Sumampong to join in the turno as there is no other way to rise again considering that there were only 2 gates operational , but to be part in the turno system. Mayor Helen have repeatedly told all the tourism players to forget what misunderstandings we had with Mrs. Sumampong for the sake of unity and recovery of the tourism sector . Hence, Mr. Sumampong was called whether he would like to join the ABS-CBN Umagang Kay Ganda feature for the resumption of the river cruise. Thus, all river boat operators committed for the entry of their 1 boat with corresponding snacks. In the afternoon of October 23, the 4 Boat Operators were called to a meeting. Susan Laguras, Mrs. Sumampong’s representative, informed that they will not participate in the turno because the owner (Mrs.Sumampong) was still in shock caused by the earthquake and that they were not yet ready. We told her to inform us when they are ready. October 25, we read text messages about her opening on October 28. This was dismissed because nobody from their camp informed the LGU. October 26, Mrs. Laguras called the Operations Officer but she was advised to call the Mayor for it was beyond his capacity to decide considering that the 3 operators have been with the LGU during the planning and implementation of plans to rise again and restart the river cruise. October 27, an ad came out from a newspaper about her opening on October 28. With a call from a concerned person and after reading the newspaper, Mayor Helen called Mrs.Sumampong telling her not to operate on the 28th. Mayor further advised her to come to the Tourism Office for a talk before she operates. October 28, they really came to the Tourism Complex to operate even without the consent and their non participation during the planning stage for the resumption of the operation. Efforts were done to avoid making scenes in the presence of the tourists but some of the videos would tell you what happened. However, there were incidents and happenings that they choose not to cover and upload . Only those portions that they think would pin down the LGU were uploaded. They took the video for their own motive. Again, the proposed revised procedure has been extensively discussed from among the four boat operators over several meetings. The procedures were likewise disseminated to other stakeholders such as the Panglao resort owners, Panglao-based drivers, Tagbilaran-based drivers and tour guides were already informed of the new system. Further, what is implemented by the LGU is just a rotation of boats similar to what is adopted by the very successful operations of the Underground River of Puerto Princesa or, to put it at its simplest form, the jeepneys plying the Loboc-Tagbilaran-Loboc route. We understand that changing and introducing new ways of doing things to improve existing operations will always be met with opposition by affected stakeholders. In the past the boat operators and some of the media were also violently attacking the LGU during the term of Mayor Leon for transferring the docking port to a new and modern terminal opposite the old terminal. The LGU was branded then as dictatorial and has vested interest. Ms. Tessie Labunog Sumampong was one of those oppositors in the past who has enjoyed the fruits of the innovations and persistence of the LGU Loboc. History has shown the decision was not only correct but successful such that all the local boat operators including Tessie Sumampong , van owners and drivers and other local players made money at the same time customer satisfaction was addressed as shown by the comments of the guests both local and foreign. IT IS EASY TO DESTROY AND VERY DIFFICULT TO BULID. We just request everyone to keep an open mind and give us a chance AND to present also our side and judge us based ON results. We ask everyone patience and understanding and give this new system a chance. The LGU has no other agenda but to protect the tourism industry of Loboc and further expand its reach. We enjoin everyone to be objective and get the whole picture before passing judgement and not just the selfish motive of one operator . You can inquire or visit the Mayors Office. We will be glad to inform everyone. We need all Lobocanos to help in the recovery of the town. Instead of criticizing based on twisted facts and selfish motivation by one operator let us rally for the greater good. The modern Loboc River Cruise Docking Port and the changes in Loboc gave pride to all Lobocanos. It has likewise provided 612 direct jobs, and thousands of indirect jobs in agriculture and handicrafts and has inculcated in the minds of the youth the value of our musicality and has brought them to the university halls for free, has funded many projects from tourism income, among others. Let us further unite for the greater good of Loboc.
Posted on: Fri, 29 Nov 2013 07:25:31 +0000
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