Feasibility study to be undertaken on foreign offices

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) is studying a possible reorganization of its network of foreign offices in a bid to strengthen its overseas presence.

In the general membership meeting of the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA) Philippines, Tourism Undersecretary and spokesperson Benito Bengzon Jr. said they are about to complete a feasibility study on the recommended network of DOT foreign offices, which seeks to suggest which offices should be closed and where new ones should be opened.

Bengzon said the study also seeks to find out what kind of manpower complement is needed in each office in the short term (one-two years), medium (three-five years) and long term (beyond five years).

There are currently 25 DOT foreign offices across the world including offices in top source markets Korea, China, USA and Japan, among others.

“Related to this, we shall further professionalize our pool of foreign officers by developing the Enhanced Competency-Based Assessment Program – a stringent process one must hurdle to qualify for deployment abroad,” Bengzon said

“The review of other operating structures and units will also be undertaken so we can be more responsive and effective,” he said.

Bengzon said this is in line with the DOT’s desire to maintain a stronger presence overseas.

He added the DOT would ensure that it stays focused on its core functions and responsibilities under RA 9593 or the Tourism Act of 2009, in order to maximize tourism’s contribution to national economic growth.

“The law and IRR will continually be reviewed to ensure that the department remains relevant and adaptive to the changing global tourism arena,” Bengzon said.

In 2017, the tourism sector contributed 12.2 percent to the country’s economy based on the tourism direct gross value added (TDGVA) to gross domestic product (GDP).

Moreover, in line with performing its mandate, Bengzon said the DOT would also continue to review the delineation of functions between and among agencies within the DOT family.

“We will review the programs and projects of DOT and its attached agencies to make sure they are part of our mandate. More importantly, they must have a clear strategic value and a measurable return on investments,” Bengzon said.

Among the attached agencies of the DOT are the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), Duty Free Philippines Corp., Intramuros Administration, Philippine Retirement Authority(PRA), Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving, National Parks Development Committee and Nayong Pilipino.

“We will also strive to install mechanisms to reduce if not eliminate discretion to unilaterally decide on projects and fund allocation. In the interest of transparency and accountability, we are expected to do no less,” Bengzon said.