Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco recently received a courtesy visit from Davao del Sur Rep. John Tracy Cagas at the Department of Tourism (DOT) Office in Makati City.
Citing the pleasant climate in Davao del Sur as well as its abundance of natural sites including falls, rock formations, caves, the popular Passig Islet, and the Kapatagan area at the foot of Mt. Apo, Cagas sought Frasco’s assistance, particularly in boosting the province’s tourism through the development of tour packages and marketing of its underrated sites to visitors, introduction of tourism roads and infrastructure, among others.
The tourism chief assured the Congressman that under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the DOT shall pursue a strengthened tourism governance in the country through close collaboration with stakeholders both on the national and local level, as well as the equalization of tourism product development and promotion.
“Among the industry needs that the DOT is actively pursuing is the development of tourism not only in key destinations but also in lesser known ones.”
“We are very grateful to the President na nag-aprubahan ng NTDP, because it takes a very non-traditional approach to tourism development. Atong gitanaw that by applying a local perspective to this national department, we will be able to address the very basic needs of tourism,” she said, while emphasizing that among the industry needs that the DOT is actively pursuing is the development of tourism not only in key destinations but also in lesser known ones.
In addition, concurring that Davao del Sur holds great tourism potential having many unique tourism offerings, Frasco explored the possibility of a tourism product or circuit focusing on the visit to the province’s impressive caves.
“We can come up with tour offerings in Davao del Sur to provide the indigenous groups economic opportunities that can bring them into the fold of government.”
She also shared that the DOT, through its Office of Special Concerns, has been working closely with the National Commission of Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and indigenous groups to help them develop their areas for tourism and come up with tour offerings, while noting how the same can be done in Davao del Sur to provide the indigenous groups there with “economic opportunities that can bring them into the fold of government”.
At the meeting were DOT OIC-Assistant Secretary Warner Andrada, Director Judilyn Quiachon, Head Executive Assistant Glenn Albert Ocampo, and Jeb Bundang, Chief of Staff of Cagas.
