Donsol, Sorsogon— In a milestone for local governance and academic partnership, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Donsol has successfully collaborated with the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) to formulate the Municipal Sustainable Tourism Development Plan (MSTDP) 2026–2035.
On 13 May 2026, the UPOU team officially turned over the plan to LGU Donsol, marking a pivotal moment for the municipality. This strategic roadmap, produced through the Pamayanan Urban Planning Studio of the Diploma in Land Use Planning (DLUP) program, marks a significant shift toward data-driven and sustainable development in the Province of Sorsogon.
TOURISM ROADMAP: The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Lower Bicondia Group, under the guidance of Faculty-in-Charge EnP Remsce A. Pasahol, officially presented and turned over the Municipal Sustainable Tourism Development Plan (MSTDP) to the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Donsol. The local delegation was represented by Hon. Mayor Ralph Walter Lubiano, Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Member and Committee Chairman on Tourism Hon. Mark Jeszar Ocaya, and Municipal Budget Officer and Tourism Officer-Designate Desiree O. Abitria.
The initiative, part of the P210.1 (Urban Planning Workshop) course, was spearheaded by students from the Lower Bicolandia Group. The student planning team, composed of Charito Amor C. Lagadia, Jean Rose L. Cadag, Aldrin Jovi B. Gallanosa, Luis C. Gara Jr., Eric John A. Ligson, Jay Angelo M. Mendoza, Aljhun O. Nobleza, and Andrea Denise T. Quintal, worked under the mentorship of its Faculty-in-Charge, Asst. Prof. Remsce A. Pasahol, EnP.
Their mission was to transform Donsol’s tourism identity from a seasonal, “single-product” destination famous for its whale sharks into a diversified, year-round tourism hub. Anchored in the Triple Bottom Line Framework, the plan ensures a meticulous balance between Profit (Economic Viability), Planet (Environmental Sustainability), and People (Social Equity). The process was formally institutionalized by Mayor Ralph Walter Lubiano through Executive Order No. 2025-26, ensuring the strategies are scientifically grounded and carry full local support. The collaboration was also made possible through the Memorandum of Agreement between the LGU and UPOU
To bridge the gap between theory and practice, the DLUP students facilitated coordination meetings, managed site evaluations across 38 tourist spots in Donsol, and hosted a comprehensive Tourism Planning Workshop. These field activities allowed the team to map out the municipality’s landscapes and seascapes, identifying untapped potential in both marine and inland sectors. A cornerstone of the output is the “Always Donsol” branding campaign, which promotes a message of consistency, continuity, and enduring value through four specialized tourism circuits: the Eco-Family, Donsol Blue-Green, Young at Heart & Differently Abled, and Under and Above the Sea Adventure.
Below is a photographic documentation captured during the evaluation of tourism sites in the municipality of Donsol on 30-31 March 2026, highlighting existing, potential, and emerging tourism sites assessed using a multi-criteria evaluation framework for planning and development prioritization. The criteria included uniqueness and natural beauty, historical/cultural value, accessibility, availability of basic utilities, availability of onsite facilities, ownership of property, and quality of surroundings.
Highlights from the comprehensive three-day Planning Workshop for the Formulation of the Donsol MSTP (2026-2035), held on 14-16 April 2026, at LGU Donsol, Sorsogon, are shown below.
The resulting plan identifies 61 Programs, Projects, and Activities (PPAs) aimed at bolstering infrastructure and environmental resilience. By aligning these efforts with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land), the document provides a resilient blueprint for the municipality’s growth over the next decade.
The team also developed a project poster highlighting the Plan’s vision, policy bases and guiding framework, tourist attractions, products and activities, sustainable tourism goals, tourism campaign, tourism circuits, action plan, strategic thrusts, and conceptual designs.
The LGU of Donsol expressed its deep gratitude for the partnership, noting that the professional planning output will be of great assistance to the LGU in its mission to foster a safer, more inclusive, and economically progressive environment.
This collaborative effort serves as a vital tool for the municipality as it navigates its path toward becoming a premier sustainable tourist destination.
Written by: Charito Amor C. Lagadia, Jean Rose L. Cadag, and Andrea Denise T. Quintal • Edited by: Larry N. Cruz
Photo credits: UPOU DLUP, P210.1 Lower Bicolandia Group
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