GLAN, Sarangani (December 28, 2011) — After almost a year in the works, the Glan Tourism Master Plan is finally out. On Tuesday (December 27), the GTMP was brought out during a simple but fitting turnover ceremony at the Glan Training Center, with Mayor Victor James B. Yap, Sr. accepting the 100-page document on behalf of the Municipality of Glan. Glan is home to the famous Gumasa white sand beaches and scenic resorts. “Our most sincere gratitude to the Asia Foundation, the Notre Dame Business Research Cooperative Foundation, Inc., the Technical Working Group and to all those who, in one way or the other, helped put together this great work whose profound and positive impact on the community will surely be felt in the years to come,” said Yap in brief remarks. The mayor expressed elation at this development as it would now help guide the local government on how to go about developing the local tourism industry in a most systematic and judicious manner. “Our approach to tourism development should be one of sustained growth and at the same time protect our environment and other equally vital components of the local economy—agriculture, fishing, livestock, etc.,” he said. He disclosed that there had been suggestions, even premature moves, to let the mining people come in, but he had to put his foot down. “We in the local government believe that tourism remains our best bet for economic development and prosperity, and mining will defeat our purpose because of its potential damage to the environment.” “Mining will eventually destroy our fine white beaches and other potential tourist spots. So, either we go into tourism or none at all,” he added. The Mindanao Tourism Council was chiefly responsible for the formulation of the plan, with the TWG providing the data and the all-important inputs without which the plan would not have come about. “The challenge now is for the local government to carry out the plan to the letter and for the private sector to do its share for all its worth. It should be private-public partnership in action,” said Jonallier Perez, MTC secretary and GTMP consultant, whom Vice Mayor Vivien Yap described as “the genius behind the GTMP.” “Otherwise, the GTMP would be another item gathering dust in the bookshelf,” he said. For her part, Vice Mayor Yap, who headed the Technical Working Group, said the GTMP was a dream come true for her, having thought of coming up with such a plan since five years ago. “With the GTMP already on hand, our dream of a sustained and progressive tourism industry will soon become a reality,” she said. She assured all parties concerned that as called forth in the plan, the Sangguniang Bayan would take the necessary steps to have the Municipal Tourism Office set up next year. “Tourism will also get bigger appropriations and other incentives from the local government,” she said. (GLAN INFO AND NEWS SERVICE)