West Visayas State University (WVSU) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region VI formalized a partnership today, June 17, 2025, through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing held at the WVSU Board Room.
The agreement launches the extension project titled “I Speak Foreign: Breaking the Language Barrier by Equipping the Tour Guides of Aklan with the Basic Korean Language Skill, Cultural Competence, and Ethics in Communication.”
The project aims to train local tour guides in Aklan in basic Korean, improve cultural understanding, and teach professional communication practices. This responds to the increasing number of Korean tourists in Boracay and the need for improved communication between them and local guides.
The event opened with a welcome message from Dr. Alexander Balsomo, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), as he “hopes to see the impact and transition not only among our tour guides, but also towards the tourism community within the region”.
“Today marks not just the start of a project, but a deepening of a shared advocacy for accessible education and cultural understanding,” said Dr. Balsomo.
Dr. Joy Pantino, Chair of the CAS Department of Language Studies, presented the purpose of the project, and messages of support were given by WVSU President Dr. Joselito Villaruz and DOT Region VI Regional Director Crisanta Marlene Rodriguez.
“May this partnership mark the beginning of more collaborative efforts in championing tourism excellence not just in Aklan, but in the greater Western Visayas region,” said RD Rodriguez.
The ceremony ended with closing remarks from Prof. Sheena Balinsoy, CAS Extension Coordinator.
The MOA marks a focused effort to support the tourism sector in Aklan by improving the skills of front-line workers. Through this initiative, WVSU and DOT Region VI aim to strengthen local capacity and improve the experience of foreign visitors.
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By: JA Temelo/PAMCO
