Twenty-two representatives from the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines Membership Program visited La Union for their annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity, now in its fourth year. The initiative highlights TPB’s commitment to responsible and sustainable tourism through community-based projects across the country.
“Our CSR initiatives remind us that every destination’s success depends on the people who nurture it,” said TPB Chief Operating Officer Margarita Montemayor Nograles. “By working alongside local communities, we protect natural beauty while creating opportunities for tourism to flourish responsibly.”
During their visit, TPB members explored several towns to learn about climate disaster preparedness, environmental conservation, and sustainable community development. In San Juan, they visited CURMA, a community-based sea turtle conservation organization, attending an educational session on marine biodiversity. They also experienced nature healing at Lotus Valley Farm, a nine-hectare eco-agri tourism hub powered by solar energy, where native trees were planted to revitalize the land and provide water resources for nearby families and schools.
In Bauang, participants joined a tree-planting activity at Bakawan Eco-Tourism Park, expanding mangrove areas as nature-based solutions to climate-related disasters, and attended a disaster preparedness session led by environmental advocate Rafael Dionisio. The community of Isla Solomon also received essential supplies through a ceremonial turnover.
TPB members further supported Immuki Island’s tourism industry by repainting tourist bamboo rafts, donating uniforms, life vests, and tools for community guides, strengthening livelihoods dependent on tourism. Members also learned local crafts, including pottery with the Taboc Mannamili Association and silk processing at DMMMSU-SRDI in Bacnotan, deepening appreciation for La Union’s artisanal heritage.
The visit concluded at Naguilian Tourist Rest Area, where local farm products and bamboo crafts were showcased. TPB’s CSR Program underscores the agency’s dedication to responsible tourism and projects that create lasting impact on communities while sustaining the industry.
