ILOILO CITY – Guimaras province is fully prepared to welcome around 50,000 visitors during Holy Week and is reminding tourists to transact only with Department of Tourism (DOT)-accredited establishments for a safe and hassle-free experience.
“All systems are in place from the Parola Wharf to destinations. We have assigned monitoring teams that will check our destinations starting Thursday,” said Francis Gentoral, provincial economic and development officer, in an interview Wednesday.
Tourism information centers have been set up at the Parola Wharf in Iloilo City and at the Guimaras Provincial Capitol to guide travelers and collect feedback. Gentoral said all necessary agencies — including ferry operators, hospitals, the Bureau of Fire Protection, disaster response teams, and police — have been alerted.
“We recommend that tourists take advantage of DOT-accredited establishments for easy tracking and feedback. We encouraged them to patronize accredited so the handling of their experiences will be addressed,” he added.
Tourists are also warned against unregistered travel and tour operators, especially those advertising on social media, as they can be difficult to trace in case of complaints. Visitors can scan a QR code available on ferries, in tourism offices, and on the official Tourism Guimaras Facebook page to access the full list of DOT-accredited businesses.
Guimaras currently has 61 accredited resorts and Mabuhay accommodations, nine restaurants, one transport operator, 12 regional tour guides, and five travel and tour companies.
A Holy Week favorite, Guimaras offers religious and leisure experiences. Thousands are expected to join the Good Friday pilgrimage to Balaan Bukid in Barangay Balcon Melliza for the Pagtaltal sa Balaan Bukid, a Passion of Christ reenactment along a 1.7-kilometer trail featuring 14 Stations of the Cross.
Other events include Pamalandong sa Tamborong in San Lorenzo and the Worship Festival in Buenavista, which begins on Palm Sunday and ends on Black Saturday.
Gentoral also encouraged reflection at the Via Crucis site in Fatima Farm, San Lorenzo, known for its peaceful setting and the miraculous image of Our Lady of Fatima.