THE Capitol lauded reports of Cebu’s return to the list of top island destinations in Asia for this year as compiled by an international travel magazine.
In text messages sent to Cebu Daily News yesterday, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia attributed the province’s comeback to her administration’s Expanded Green and Wholesome Environment that nurtures (eGWEN) program.
“(This honor is) an affirmation that the eGwen program embraced by our local government units (LGUs) continues to transform Cebu for the better,” the governor said.
The results were released last week from Condé Nast’s 24th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards, an annual listing of the best cities, islands, hotels, transportation and resorts worldwide.
Garcia thanked local officials and the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc (RAFI) for being “effective partners” in the implementation of the program.
The eGWEN program is a province-wide contest that evaluates the performance of all towns and cities in Cebu in the areas of environment, health, governance and heritage.
The other night, three towns and cities and their corresponding selected barangays emerged winners from among 10 of their counterparts who were also given citations for exemplary performance.
Cebu bounced back this year at number 8, garnering 77.2 points after being shut out and dislodged by Luzon island last year.
Still, it failed to surpass Luzon which ranked at no. 6 or 77.9 points on the list of Top Island Destinations.
Luzon was also ranked at no. 7 last year with 75.1 points.
Cebu is a small island in the Visayas with a population of 3 million compared with Luzon’s 48 million.
Luzon includes Metro Manila and regions of Ilocos, Bicol, Central Luzon, Cagayan and the Cordilleras.
Cebu has occupied the seventh place in 2008, 2007 and 2004. Twice, it has been ranked 8th best island destination by the same survey in 2006 and in 2005.
In Asia the top 10 best islands destinations are Maldives at No. 1, Bali, Phuket, Seychelles, Malaysian Borneo, Mauritius, Langkawi and Koh Samui. Maldives, Bali and Phuket have maintained their ranking from last year.
Another publication, the New York-based Travel + Leisure magazine, named Cebu among the “best islands in Asia” last year at number 3 and at number 4 in 2009 in the release of its World’s Best Awards, evaluating hotels, airlines, cruises islands and cities in the world.
Condé Nast Traveler is an American magazine published by Condé Nast Publications, which specializes in luxury travel and reviews of high-priced hotels, products and services. Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus