Cebu Chamber eyes cabbies in culture of tourism project

The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry is looking at partnering with relevant government agencies and other private sector groups for another project that will help instill the culture of tourism among the frontliners in the industry – the taxi drivers.

In an interview yesterday, CCCI president Prudencio Gesta and executive director Buddy Villasis said that in order to instill the culture of tourism among Cebuanos, we must first start at the very basic which is the taxi drivers since they are among the first people our tourists will interact with the moment they arrive.

SUROY-SUROY

With the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo already a seen as a successful endeavor of the chamber in partnership with the provincial government seen as one very effective means to promote countryside tourism, Gesta said that it should be complimented with another project, hence, the plan.

“We are still at the very early stage of the concept but we believe that it will work if we get together with the different stakeholders involved. We are looking at partnering with Tesda (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority), DOT (Department of Tourism) and the taxi operators in Cebu,” said Gesta.

According to Villasis, they have already initially discussed the concept to the president of the Cebu Taxi Operators Association Richard Cabucos who said they will support

the project.

LTFRB DATA

“Based on the latest data from LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board), there are about 12,000 taxi units running in Metro Cebu and Cebu Province now. The association members only account for about half of that or 6,000. We can start from there,” said Villasis.

For the project, the chamber leaders are planning to do trainings for the taxi drivers to teach them proper driving etiquette, proper handling of tourists and basic background on the history of Cebu and other information that is relevant to the tourists.

“I was in Thailand one time and was really impressed with the driver of the cab I was riding because he knows about the history of his country and he was very courteous. In fact, he even knows about our country. These things will have lasting impact to tourists that is why we think it is important to train our drivers because they are our frontliners,” said Gesta.

DOT CHIEF

In a phone interview with DOT Regional Director Rowena Montecillo, she said she agreed with Gesta and added that they have been sitting with LTFRB and the Land Transportation Office regarding the same concern.

“During the holding of the ASEAN Summit here in Cebu, we trained thousands of drivers. It worked then but we need to do something to continue that. We have been sitting down with LTFRB and LTO for an arrangement requiring the drivers to undergo training before they get accepted to the job by the operators. This is a bit sensitive though and we are still looking at means that will not affect the income of the drivers in the process,” said Montecillo.

TAXI OPERATORS

According to Montecillo, the operators play a crucial part in the implementation because Tesda has a module that require the drivers to attend for a week which some are complaining to be too long and drivers don’t go if the operators won’t require them to do so.

“They are asking for a one day training only but we think that is not enough. We are still looking for away to come to a resolution to this issue. We welcome the initiative of CCCI because the more people or organization we get to help us in this, the better and faster it gets implemented,” said Montecillo.

PRIORITY

According to Gesta, they will be talking more with other chamber officials especially the Tourism Committee headed by Milagros Espina to come up with more comprehensive plans for the project.

“We will put this as a priority project because tourism is a major industry in Cebu and this will have a direct impact on tourism,” said Gesta.