BANTON 2003 PROJECT STARTS 

The Banton 2003, a project to develop Banton as an eco-cultural tourism destination, has started. Movers of the project have been busy soliciting the support of Bantoanon individuals and organizations and are slowly but surely succeeding in its efforts. The Yagting Discussion Group, an Internet Discussion Group founded a month ago to support this project, has been busy brainstorming especially on the development of the potential tourist sites in Banton. 

The Executive Committee has been formed and are composed of Lyndon Fadri (Chairman), Chris Fiecas (Head, Finance Group), Joemel Ferrancol (Head, Site Development & Environmental Concerns Group), Dante Fadriquela (Head, Marketing, Information and Promotions Group), Jaime Faigao (Head, Administrative Group), James Fadrilan (Head, Events Coordination & Cultural Affairs Group) and Julieto Fabero (Head, Services & Accreditation Group). The Group Heads are now busy filling up the committees under their respective groups. By July 31, the organizational support is expected to be fully established. 

Hon. Mayor Jory F. Faderanga has endorsed the project.

A general assembly will be held in the afternoon of August 25 (the venue not yet finalized as of this writing). The general development framework and strategy as well as the action plans of each group will be presented to the volunteers during the assembly. The assembly is also being eyed as the launching pad of the proposed Site Development contest, the campaign to encourage Bantoanons to make more frequent and longer visits to Banton bringing with them their whole family and the marketing efforts to encourage Bantoanons to make investments in Banton relative to the project. 

A temporary website is being developed and is expected to be finished in time for its presentation in the general assembly. 

The groups who threw in their early support to the project are the BNHS/BMHS/BHS Classes of 1985, 1987, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2001 and 2002. More groups and organizations, including province-wide organizations, are expected to follow in the next few months. 

In related matters, the local Municipal Tourism Council will soon be formed, according to Mayor Faderanga. 

For those who are interested to participate in this undertaking, and thus help our kasimanwas, may contact Banton 2003’s office at 11 Amethyst Rd., Pilar Village, Las Piñas City (the Silak Office), Telefax: 800-7863. They may also join the Yagting Discussion Group by sending an empty e-mail message to [email protected] 

BANTON 2003 CARD LAUNCHED. As its initial fund campaign, the ExCom launched the Banton 2003 Card for sponsors and patrons of the project in the Yagting Discussion Group. Those whose donation is at least P 1,500.00 or $ 30.00 shall be considered as patrons while those whose donation is at least P 500.00 or $ 10.00 but less than P 1,500.00 or $ 30.00 shall be considered sponsors. 

The card can be used as a D%scount Card to participating outlets in Banton. The D%scount is at least 5% for a minimum purchase of P 50.00. So far, here are the participating outlets: Hanrumanan, the Ugat-Faigao Museum & Library Novelty Store: 10% Discount; Discount Network Store (Purok Seawall) : 5% Discount; Discount Network VCD Rentals: 10% Discount; Discount Network membership:  10% Discount The list is growing. 

Volunteers are also provided with the card for a fee of P 25.00 to defray the cost of the production of the card.