San Carlos City in Negros Occidental was evaluated by the Department of Tourism (DOT) personnel July 21 for the 2026 ASEAN Clean Tourist City Award.
The award recognizes cities within Southeast Asia that meet high standards of cleanliness, waste management, and environmental sustainability; aimed at promoting responsible tourism and enhancing visitor’s experience.
San Carlos is one of the three cities in Western Visayas, along with Iloilo and Sipalay, that underwent site validation by representatives from the DOT Region VI and Central Office, namely, Sharlemagne Valdez, Marissa Victoria Claustro, Kristoffer Leo Velete, and Elyses Sodusta.
The team assessed the city’s overall development, focusing on key areas, such as public spaces, transport terminals, tourist sites and attractions, waste management, health and safety, security, and tourism infrastructure.
They also conducted interviews with officers from relevant offices, including the City Tourism, Environmental Management, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, and City Planning.
Councilor Philip Gerard Maisog, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Tourism, said the city had prepared for the site validation. He added the city had already received this recognition twice before, and with its continued efforts toward sustainability, ongoing programs and projects, and strong commitment to cleanliness especially in tourism, he is hopeful that it will again win such award.
Tourism operations officer II Jennifer Paran presented the city’s development and initiatives, from 2020 up to the present, while Councilor Arthur Batomalaque, chairperson of the SP Committee on Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, discussed the sustainable city program during validation.
After the onsite validation, a feedback session was held at the SCC Multi-Purpose Hall in Park Marina, the city said in a press release.
The evaluators commended the city for its consistency in cleanliness, various sports facilities, unique transport system of pedicabs, efficient public assistance system, comprehensive documentation, and best practices that could be shared with other local government units.
Mayor Renato Gustilo and councilors Victoriana Cabili, Joseph Mark Antonio, Carlos Manuel Valmayor, Jeffrey Hidalgo, Alfredo Martin Cui, and Rommel Debulgado also attended the feedback session.||
