BACOLOD CITY, Feb. 19 -- The City of Sipalay in Negros Occidental got a boost in its campaign for sustainable and responsible tourism with the successful staging of the first leg of the International Open Water Swim Circuit over the weekend.

Some 146 swimmers saw action in the two-day event organized by the Department of Tourism (DOT)-Western Visayas (Region 6) together with the Zamboanga Open Water Swimming Club Inc.

Supervising tourism officer Jerick Lacson said on Monday that aside from bringing in revenues to the city, the tourism event also served as a platform to promote their advocacy on sustainable and responsible tourism led by Mayor Maria Gina Lizares.

"We are very glad for the successful run of the first leg. Along with the ...