Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco thanked the Cebu Provincial government for its commitment to build at least six Tourist Rest Areas (TRAs) in Cebu Province, and its sister cities.
During the inauguration of the TRA in the Municipality of Carmen, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia announced that construction is underway for the TRAs that will be built in the towns of Santander, Pinamungahan, Dumanjug, and Bogo City, and one each for its sister cities of Albay and in Zamboanga Sibugay.
The provincial government will shoulder the costs of construction.
“This is a much needed infrastructure and only a woman with an eye for detail and passion for those that are her responsibilities would understand that these TRAs were precisely what we needed to promote tourism.”
“This is a much needed infrastructure and only a woman with an eye for detail and passion for those that are her responsibilities would understand that these TRAs were precisely what we needed to promote tourism. Maraming salamat because we really, really need this and only Secretary Christina could have thought of this. Congratulations, Secretary Christina, such a job well done,” the lady governor said.
The TRAs are established to improve the overall tourism experience by providing tourists basic services and amenities such as an information center, clean restrooms, a lounge and charging stations, a dining area, and pasalubong centers, to make their travel more pleasant, experiential and worthwhile. It also serves as a venue to highlight Filipino artistry through the display of local products and the adoption of local materials and elements in its building design.
“We are hopeful that with the example set by the province of Cebu in supporting the Tourist Rest Areas of the DOT and the Marcos administration, this can be replicated all over the country,” the tourism chief stressed.
The tourism head announced that the DOT, in collaboration with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), the agency’s infrastructure arm, plans to build 18 more TRAs in strategic locations across the country.
“In addition to the 10 that we have already constructed, we are adding 18 more Tourist Rest Areas all the way from Batanes to Tawi tawi next year.”
“So popular has been the reception of these Tourist Rest Areas and so well-received by our tourism industry stakeholders, that LGUs themselves are requesting for it. In addition to the 10 that we have already constructed, we are adding 18 more Tourist Rest Areas all the way from Batanes to Tawi tawi next year,” she announced.
Frasco also expressed her gratitude to her home province Cebu for its overwhelming support as all Cities and Municipalities have adopted the Love the Philippines tourism branding campaign of the DOT.
“I thank you for your love and support. To me personally, This has given me courage, strength, and the continued will and determination to ensure that we take the benefits of tourism as far and wide as possible so we can continue to announce to the world all the reasons to Love the Philippines,” she concluded.
