Tagum City, Davao del Norte – The Department of Tourism (DOT) officially led the Groundbreaking and Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing Ceremony for Tagum City’s award-winning “Truly Tagum: Advancing the Benefits of an Enriched Heritage-Tourism Circuit” project – a landmark initiative that strengthens the city’s standing as one of Mindanao’s most dynamic cultural and heritage tourism destinations.

The ceremony follows Tagum City’s recognition as 4th place winner in the Tourism Champions Challenge (TCC) for the Mindanao Island group – a competitive program of the DOT that identifies and funds the most promising tourism initiatives from local government units across the country.

As part of this recognition, the city received a ₱13 million grant from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) to fund the implementation of four major infrastructure projects:

• Mandaya Craft Center in Brgy. Canocotan
• Dive Briefing and Lecture Hall in Brgy. Liboganon
• Terminal 2 Passenger Lounge in Brgy. Liboganon
• Centennial Mangrove Boardwalk in Brgy. Liboganon

These developments form the physical backbone of the Truly Tagum Heritage Circuit, which will link 23 community-based tourism sites throughout the city – integrating culture, environment, and enterprise to benefit local communities.

The event gathered an impressive roster of local and national officials led by DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, Congressman De Carlo L. Uy of Davao del Norte’s 1st District, Mayor Rey T. Uy, city councilors Arthur Ong, Agripino G. Coquilla Jr., and Ciara L. Uy-Salazar, Tagum City IPMR Datu Erick Perez, and Tagum City Tourism and Culture Council Chairperson Alma L. Uy, among other guests.

During her keynote speech, Secretary Frasco commended the City Government of Tagum for its vision and collaboration in transforming tourism into a tool for inclusive progress.

“I commend the city government of Tagum, your mayor, your first lady, your private sector, and all the communities for showing us the true power of tourism – and that is to transform and uplift the lives of our fellow Filipinos,” said Secretary Frasco.

She also underscored that the Tourism Champions Challenge is a flagship program of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., designed to empower local governments to develop sustainable tourism models that directly benefit their constituents.

“The TCC encourages LGUs to come up with ideas on how best to develop your tourism industry in a manner that gives maximum benefit to communities and people, and elevate the quality of your tourism experiences into a world-class destination,” she added.

For Tagum City, the Truly Tagum project represents a crucial step toward its long-term goal of positioning itself as a model for community-based, heritage-driven tourism in Mindanao. The initiative’s focus on infrastructure development, livelihood creation, and cultural preservation ensures that tourism growth remains inclusive and sustainable.

Mayor Rey T. Uy, in a recorded message, expressed gratitude to the DOT and TIEZA for their confidence in Tagum’s tourism vision, emphasizing that the project will “bridge our traditions with the future, and turn Tagum’s culture into a living, thriving experience for visitors and residents alike.”

Councilor Arthur Ong, representing the city council, echoed the sentiment: “This is not just a project – it’s a movement that brings heritage to life, builds capacity, and creates livelihood where it is most needed.”

Under the MOA, the DOT provides the implementation framework and oversight, TIEZA handles the construction and infrastructure development, and the Tagum City Government will manage and maintain the completed facilities. This multi-agency collaboration underscores the importance of shared governance and accountability in tourism development.

The groundbreaking marks the formal start of construction and signals a new phase for the city’s tourism growth. Once completed, these facilities will serve as gateways to Tagum’s diverse attractions – from its rivers and mangroves to its cultural villages and artisan communities.

As the ceremony concluded, Secretary Frasco reaffirmed DOT’s commitment to bringing the benefits of tourism to every corner of the country:

“Tagum City is proof that when we work together – the national government, local government, and communities – tourism can truly become a force for transformation and hope.”

For Tagum, the message was clear: the Truly Tagum movement is more than infrastructure. It is a legacy of collaboration, a testament to the city’s dedication to sustainability, and a model for what local innovation can achieve when supported by national vision.