A resort in Palawan and a spa in Boracay each won an award at the 2012 Asean Green Hotel Awards, a competition that recognizes establishments that adopt environment-friendly practices.
Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. said plaques of recognition were given to Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort in Palawan and Mandala Spa and Resort Villas in Boracay island in an awards ceremony held during the 2012 Asean Tourism Forum in Indonesia.
“We at the DOT (Department of Tourism) will try to provide a supportive environment that will attract more green investments. Through the TIEZA (Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise Zone Authority), we may be able to extend ample incentives and assist in looking for financing windows to make easy the start-up investments into green technology,” Jimenez said in a statement.
“We want to contribute significantly to the global effort of greening tourism,” he added.
Mandala was established in 2001 and is currently owned and managed by Dieter Scrottmann. Daluyon, on the other hand, is a 16-room resort owned and managed by brothers Ruben and Clifford Tan, and their wives, Maria and Deborah.
“We were pleasantly surprised as we only got to know of the awards when we were sent forms to fill, and more surprised after being evaluated as compliant. We are firm believers of the green agenda and are happy that we have contributed through our own small way,” the Tans said.
The Asean Green Hotel Awards is a competition that is held every two years. Its criteria covers environmental policy and activities, use of green products, collaboration with the communities and local organizations, human resource management, solid waste management, energy efficiency, water efficiency, air quality management, noise pollution control, waste water treatment and management, and toxic and chemical substance disposal management.
