Contending on the motion, “This house believes that Tourism Industry destroys Biodiversity”, St. Paul University debaters Regina Clarina Elmaco, BSED IV and Eduard Joseph Narciso, BSBA II bagged the Best Speaker and best Debater awards respectively making their team hailed as Best Debating Team in the Tourism Grand Debate last September 13, 2010 at the Sofia Soller Sinco Hall, Foundation University. {{more}}
According to SPUD Director for External Affairs Rafael Arbon Duhaylungsod. the tournament was composed of Silliman University (Opening Government), Saint Paul University Dumaguete (Opening Opposition), Foundation University (Closing Government) and Silliman University-Swing (Closing Opposition).
The tough argumentations between two teams in the finals were centered on the issue on tourism and biodiversity law enforcement. The debaters from the government side argued that the existing laws aren’t implemented thus, the biodiversity in certain areas are affected. They further added that some business tycoons owning major tourism industries in the country destroys the balance in nature by continuously putting up tourism enterprises in beaches and ecological parks.
The team from the opposition won over the proposition in their contention that the tourism industry isn’t solely controlled by the businessmen. Furthermore, citizens in tourist spots are encouraged to care for the environment because biodiversity is in itself a tourism attraction.
Awards were given to the following: Julius Caesar Carballo (FU)-Best Rebuttal Speaker, Regina Clarina Elmaco (SPUD) – Best Speaker, Eduard Joseph Narciso (SPUD)- Best Debater and St. Paul University- best Debating Team.
The debate tournament was adjudicated by Vice Mayor of Dumaguete City, Atty. Allan Cordova and Youth Formator, Dr. Dave Saceda. It was sponsored by the FU – School of Hospitality Management. (PR)