Governor Marilou H. Cayco signed the Executive Order No. 07 constituting the Provincial Historico-Cultural Tourism Council and Executive Order No. 14 creating Provincial Price Coordination Council for the province of Batanes.
The E.O No. 07 signed on July 13, 2016 complements with R.A. 9593, declares tourism as an indispensable element of the national economy and an industry of national interest and importance, which must be harnessed as an engine of socio-economic growth and cultural affirmation.
The newly created Batanes Provincial Historico-Cultural Tourism Council will establish and maintain organizational machinery that plans, coordinates, and develops a comprehensive program to promote heritage conservation and preservation for sustainable tourism. The Council will lead all municipal Local Government Units (LGU) in protecting and preserving the integrity and sustainability of all tourism resources.
The Batanes Provincial Government recognizes sustainable tourism as an essential means to spur investment, employment and growth towards development, and to inculcate an enhanced sense of heritage, culture and pride for all Ivatans.
Gov. Cayco will serve as the Chairman of the council while the Sangguniang Panlalawigan-Chairman Committee on Tourism and Batanes Heritage Foundation – Executive Director of the will serve as the Vice Chairpersons.
Meanwhile, the E.O No.14 creating Provincial Price Coordination Council in Batanes signed on July 22, 2016 will ensure the availability of basic necessities and prime commodities at reasonable prices at all times and will also provide protection to consumers against hoarding, profiteering, and cartels of goods especially during the occurrence of a calamity, emergency and widespread illegal manipulation.
E.O No. 14 is in accordance with the Republic Act 7581 otherwise known as the Price Act and the Republic Act 71 also known as the Price Tag Act.
Among the functions of the PPCC include (1)Coordinate the productivity, distribution and price stabilization programs, projects and measures of the Provincial government and develop comprehensive strategies to effect a general stabilization of prices of basic necessities and prime commodities at affordable levels, (2)Conduct in-depth analysis on causes for price fluctuations, (3)Recommend actions and steps to correct unwarranted price increases and supply shortages and, (4)Advise the Provincial Governor on general policy matters for promotion and improvement in productivity, distribution and stabilization of prices.
In times of crisis, calamity or state of emergency, the PPCC will convene immediately to coordinate the execution of the Rules and Regulations Implementing R.A. 7581 on price/supply monitoring activities of basic and prime commodities, specific items identified as basic necessities/prime commodities not part of the regular monitoring may be covered, and frequency of price supply monitoring may be increased.
Batanes Provincial Administrator, Mr. Ramonito D. Imperial will serve as the Chairperson of the PPCC. Other members include; Sangguniang Panlalawigan Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, Commerce, Cooperatives and Livelihood, Executive Assistant of the Provincial Governor, Provincial Treasurer, Provincial Directors of DTI and DILG, ENRO OIC, Representatives from DA, NFA, BFAR, Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, DOH and President of the PCCI – Batanes Chapter.