Mindoro Towns Win Top Tourism Honors at National Awards

Two municipalities in Occidental Mindoro swept multiple categories at the 2025 ATOP Pearl Awards, with Sablayan taking two grand prizes and San Jose earning three runner-up distinctions in the national tourism competition.

Sablayan won grand prizes for Best Tourism-Oriented Local Government Unit and Best Practices on Sustainable Tourism for its Apo Reef Natural Park at the municipal level.

San Jose placed first runner-up for Best Practices on Sustainable Tourism for its Bato-ili Mangyan Buhid Community program and earned second runner-up honors in Best Local Event Hosting and Best Tourism-Oriented LGU categories.

MIMAROPA region collected nine awards overall at the ceremony held in Baguio City.

Puerto Princesa City dominated the highly urbanized city category with three grand prizes and one runner-up award.

The ATOP Pearl Awards, presented by the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines, recognize excellence in tourism development, sustainability practices and community-based programs in local government units.

Occidental and Oriental Mindoro provinces have emerged as a major tourism destination in MIMAROPA with attractions including Apo Reef, one of the world’s largest coral reef systems, and indigenous Mangyan communities.

The island has increasingly focused on sustainable and community-based tourism development.

Puerto Princesa’s victories included grand prizes for its Sabang Mangrove Paddleboat Tour Cooperative in community-based tourism, the 2024 ICF Dragon Boat World Championships in sports tourism, and its tourism month celebration.

The 2025 ATOP Pearl Awards were held on October 2, 2025, during the ATOP National Convention at Hotel Supreme Mall & Events Center in Baguio City.

photos courtesy of Sablayan Tourism Office and DOT Mimaropa