ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal, Philippines — The provincial government is rallying Rizaleños to share their “wealth” and “gifts” with local and foreign tourists to push the province further up to the No. 1 spot in the region’s tourism map by 2018.

Rizal Governor Casimiro “Junjun” Ynares III, in his strategic plan on tourism, which was presented to the public during the recently concluded Rizal Travel Mart 2011 held at the Ynares Center here, said the project is anchored on the rallying point: “Rizal: Uno sa Turismo 2018.

In order to encourage the visitors to come to this province which was named after the national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, Governor Ynares pointed out that a HEART-warming sharing of the wealth and gifts as a province is needed.

Ynares added that this sharing must be affectionate and sincere.

“Ibahagi natin ang HEART-warming na karanasan kung saan may H (Health and Wellness Tourism) E (Ecological Tourism) A (Arts, Culture and Heritage Tourism) R (Rest and Recreation Tourism) T (Trade and Industry Opportunities). Kailangan lang nilang (ang mga turista at bisita) malaman na naririto sa ating lalawigan ang hinahanap nilang kasaysayan, kultura at kalikasan: ang kayamanan,” said Ynares in the message read by provincial administrator Russel Ynares.

“Mayroon tayong kasaysayan, kultura, kalikasan. Kapag pinagsama-sama sila, ito ay ang ating kayamanan. Ang tunay na kayamanan ay hindi ipinagdadamot. Ang Rizal province ay mayaman dahil hindi tayo madamot. Handa tayong ibahagi ang ating yaman,” Ynares’ also said in his message.

It was learned that the tourism strategic plan was a product of a series of consultation meetings which the province conducted among the various stakeholders of the tourism industry that also include the municipal tourism officers, resort and restaurant owners, craft makers, and tourism students in this province.

Discussed by Region IV-A Tourism Director Louella Jurilla was Republic Act No. 9593, the Tourism Act of 2009, and its implementing rules and regulations.

The province’s re-organized tourism council which is now known as “Rizal SIKAT Council” or Rizal Sining, Kultura at Turismo Council by virtue of Sangguniang Panlalawigan Ordinance No. 22, series of 2011, which amended SP Ordinance No. 12 series of 2008 was also presented.