For a developing country like the Philippines, tourism is one of the sure-fire ways to improve the economy of the country’s outlying regions.

Last year ‘only’ three million tourists visited our 7,107 beautiful islands and other countries while our nearby neighbors had at least thrice the number of visitors. Which begs questions to be asked: Is government involved enough in promoting the country as a tourism destination? Do local governments need to do more to promote their cities and towns? Is there a national strategy in place to generate tourism from abroad? How can we use the infamous Pinoy hospitality to full advantage?

In the small town of San Vicente in northwest Palawan, there is a 23-year old balikbayan who is trying to answer these questions by having long- term goal on how to best help her townsfolk gain sustainable income from tourism even if the town is off the beaten track of Palawan's travel destiantions.

Her name is Carmela Alvarez.

Carmela happens to be the youngest mayor to win the 2010 elections. “Pie�, as she is known to her family and friends, was educated in Babson College in Boston, MA where she took up International Business Administration with a concentration in Environmental Technology and Global Marketing Management. At first, she planned to join a non-government organization (NGO) or enter social entrepreneurship but there was a change in plans and she decided to enter public office by running in last year’s elections in San Vicente, her hometown.

Mayor Pie, who stands at a statuesque 5’8� and could easily be mistaken for a runway model by her dress and demeanor, said her goals are “not only to help San Vicente progress but to do so in a sustainable manner, such that both the environment and the residents are protected and cared for. Make use of my business education to help the town of San Vicente in Palawan to flourish�.

The new age of San Vicente is hopefully at hand as Mayor Pie works on plans on how her town can join Palawan's march to progress. Rice farming and illegal forms of fishing have been the primary source of income for the 30,000 people of San Vicente. Despite the lack of support from the provincial and national governments she has begun her “small steps toward giant leaps� vision for her municipality.

For 2011 she’s eyeing to build the first large-scale Rural Health Unit (RHU) to answer the medical needs of her constituents, the town’s first fully operational medical facility. One of her primary goals is to introduce the splendor of San Vicente to the world by combining programs for social tourism and “volun-tourism� to welcome tourists, visitors and friends to come to San Vicente and initiate much-needed change.

She has also tied-up with Gawad Kalinga which would provide housing for 100 homeless/landless folks, these homes will also serve as accommodations for backpackers visiting Palawan. She describes her town, which consists of 165,000 hectares of protected virgin forestland and a 14 kilometer stretch of white beaches� as “the most exotic place I can proudly call home. San Vicente is the most serene place to be�.

On June 17-21, San Vicente will hold its annual Malagnang Festival (Mud Festival). The five-day long festivity hopes to encourage tourists to experience a fiesta the San Vicente way. A long-term goal, modern initiatives and a plan for sustainable progress hold the promise of a better future for San Vicente, this is the vision of a 23-year old who we hope redefines what a Filipino Mayor is supposed to be.

And Pie Alvarez is doing it not just with style, but with passion.