๐๐ฎ ๐จ๐ป๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐๐๐ ๐ญ๐๐ ๐ก๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐ณ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฆ๐๐บ๐บ๐ถ๐
By: Angelica Maranan-Maglanoc, GPC-LUPTO and Joanna C. Guerrero, GPC-PIO | Photos By: Sonny Buenaventura, PIO, Tonet Gaerlan and Mico Salamanca, LUPTO | Date: October 26-29, 2022
Coinciding with this yearโs La Union Surfing Break, the Province of La Union hosted the 1st ever National Surfing Summit with a theme โSurfโs Up Philippines: Professionalizing the Philippine Surfing Industryโ on October 26-29, 2022 at the Agora Events Center, Thunderbird Resorts, City of San Fernando, La Union. Highlighting the potential of the Philippines as a surfing destination, the Department of Tourism pulled strings to finally professionalize the surfing industry. Gracing the event were Surfing athletes, instructors, camp operators and enthusiasts. Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Directors from various parts of the Philippines and other Tourism officials and professionals were also present.
To head start the pioneering summit in the country, La Union Sangguniang Panlalawigan Commitee Chair on Tourism Joy R. Ortega, welcomed the participants to the Surfing Capital of the North. She highlighted the impact of this activity to La Union locals saying, โBe assured that the Provincial Government is with you in your goal to improve and professionalize the surfing insdustry that in turn will be maximized by our kaprobinsiaan to support their living,โ she said.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco and Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go also sent their greetings and support through video messages.
International and local surfing enthusiasts, trainers, and professionals were invited to share their expertise and best practices in promoting the surfing industry. Mr. John Matthew Carby from the United Philippines Surfing Association (UPSA) tackled about the Local Perspective of Surfing while Mr. Peter Murphy, Operating Manager of Surfing Victoria Australia and Ms. Lorraine Crystal Lapus-Kuit, Program Manager of International School Surf Camp Indonesia shared about Ensuring Quality and Safety Environment in Surfing Destinations. Mr. Rizal Tandjung of Bali Indonesia and Mr. Julius A. Manabat of the La Union Provincial Tourism Office discussed about The Economy of Surfing. To give an idea about the governmentโs support to the industry, DOT representatives Dir. Virgilio M. Magulagad and Ms. Arlene Alipio shared about the DOT Trainings and Certification being offered for the Surfing Industry.
During the Governor's night on the last day, Gov. Raphaelle Veronica โRafyโ Ortega-David thanked the Department of Tourism for choosing La Union to host the first ever National Surfing Summit. She further encouraged the guests to continue helping the tourism industry to thrive. โOur kaprobinsiaan are inspired with your passion and hardwork for surfing,โ she said commending the participants for the efforts they exert to help the government upscale the surfing industry and to empower not only the surfing enthusiasts but the whole La Union community, thus, promoting #LaUnionProbinsyanihan.
The National Surfing Summit, organized by DOT Region 1 under the leadership of Regional Director Joseph Francisco โJeffโ R. Ortega, showcased the Philippinesโ promising potential as a world-class surfing haven. It is an avenue to recognize industry players and to establish the rules and regulations that will govern the accreditation of surfing camps and Filipino surfing instructors. This initiative will revolutionize the surfing industry and provide various opportunities for surfing camp operators and Filipino surfing instructors.
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