DOT to spend for roads leading to tourist spots

CEBU, Philippines —  The Department of Tourism has offered funds for road developments leading to various tourism destinations in Cebu Province.

Tourism Secretary Ma. Esperanza Christina Garcia-Frasco made the announcement Thursday night during the yearend assembly of the Philippine Councilors League-Cebu Provincial Federation at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

Frasco has urged the city and town councilors to pass a resolution in their respective sanggunian requesting the DOT for funding.

“You play a very important and vital role in the development of tourism in Cebu,” she said.

Frasco congratulated the PCL-Cebu led by Toledo City Councilor and ex-officio Provincial Board Member Ricardo “Kuya Nick” Pepito for supporting Governor Gwendolyn Garcia’s endeavors to bring back tourism activities in the province amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 “Makalaum kamo nga abli ang akong opisina nga modawat sa inyong mga resolusyon ug naa man gani,” Frasco told the councilors.

Frasco earlier asked the support of the PCL-Cebu Provincial Federation on her programs stipulated in the DOT’s seven main objectives. These include improving tourism infrastructure and accessibility, establishing a cohesive and comprehensive digitalization and connectivity, the enhancement of overall tourist experience, the equalization of tourism product development and promotion, the diversification of portfolio through a multidimensional tourism, the maximization of domestic tourism, and strengthening of tourism governance through close collaboration with local government units and stakeholders.

The development of roads leading to tourism destinations falls under the first objective, which includes improvement of gateways and airports with the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Frasco stressed the important role of the local government units in ensuring the effective implementation of tourism regulatory policies to maintain the standard of services that they provide to tourists.

She said the DOT, under the guidance of the President, has prioritized strengthening LGUs through equal assistance in tourism development and manpower capacity building to ensure that no tourist destination gets left behind in the process of development. 

“My directive is to extend the Department’s full support to the local government units that may not have necessarily received equal attention. It is important to equalize promotion and marketing opportunities to the destinations across the country,” Frasco said.

Frasco also emphasized that now is the perfect time to be part of nation-building having a President whose vision is “transforming the tourism industry as a pillar for economic recovery”.

“Your development means more efficient tourism regulation, more jobs for our people and more active local economy that elevates the life of your respective communities sparking recovery not only for our tourism industry here in Region 7, but also for the country as a whole,” Frasco said.

Meanwhile, Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia also announced in the same event that the provincial government will give P200,000 each town and city councilor. All vice mayors will also get P1 million each.

Garcia asked the officials to pool the amount in order to come up with an infrastructure project that will last long. A day before, Garcia also pledged P200,000 to each barangay captain who attended the Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB) General Assembly. –  FPL (FREEMAN)