Since its launch in January this year in the Caraga Region, the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE) has gained ground in the tourism regional sector and local government units (LGUs).

In an interview Friday, Department of Tourism-Caraga (DOT-13) Director Ivonnie Dumadag said the FBSE, a flagship program of DOT Secretary Maria Christina Frasco, aims to equip tourism front-liners on how to deliver customer service anchored on Filipino values.

“Here in the region, we target around 7,000 tourism front-liners for training on FBSE to revive the Filipino values of love, respect, and hospitality in the industry,” she said.

As of June 12, some 1,760 tourism front-liners from resorts, hotels and restaurants, transportation services, students, and LGUs have undergone the FBSE training.

Of the total number, 150 came from Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte, another 50 from mainland Surigao del Norte, 418 from Surigao del Sur, and 93 from Dinagat Islands province.

Among the cities in the region, 406 tourism front-liners from Surigao City have also undergone FBSE training; Butuan with 399; Tandag, 83; Bayugan, 59; Bislig, 58; and Cabadbaran, 44.

“Our teams from DOT-13 are continuously conducting FBSE training in the different provinces in the region with the hope of attaining our target number this year,” Dumadag said.

She also reported that at least four LGUs — two at the municipal and another two at the provincial levels — have adopted the FBSE in their areas through legislation.

Bayabas town in Surigao del Sur adopted the FBSE through an ordinance promulgated on March 3, while Loreto municipality in Dinagat Islands implemented a similar ordinance on May 2.

Likewise, the provinces of Surigao del Sur and Surigao del Norte adopted the advocacy through edicts on April 4 and May 2, respectively. (PNA)