The Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of National Defense (DND), and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to promote Mindanao as a peaceful and viable destination for domestic and international travelers.
During the first ever Mindanao Tourism Convergence held in Zamboanga City on Wednesday, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr., represented by Undersecretary Angelito De Leon, and Interior Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr., inked the MOA to strengthen inter-agency partnership by ensuring that peace, security, and order are prioritized in tourism development programs as part of the DOT’s seven-point agenda.
“At the beginning of the administration of President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr., he made very clear his intentions for the prioritization of tourism development in the Philippines, including and especially the reopening of Mindanao to tourism. As part of our commitment to the vision of our president, we have made strides towards the goal of fully reopening Mindanao to its tourism potential,” the tourism chief said.
“It is time to put to the fore the ethereal Mindanao beauty that has sometimes been relegated to the backburner, to highlight to the world its spectacular views, its wonderful and amazing culture as well as the warmth and love of the people of Mindanao. Time has come to fully promote your sites, your heritage, your culture, your people, and to reintroduce this region to the world,” she added.
Meanwhile, Galvez has expressed the DND’S commitment for the momentous tourism undertaking.
“As we all know, Mindanao has a long history of being associated with violence, danger, and chaos. Terrorism has sought its ugly head and armed conflicts, not to mention the prevalence of crime, had sullied this promising area’s reputation, but that is no longer the case. Through the National Tourism Development Plan or NTDP 2023 to 2028, and pursuant to the guidance of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Department of Tourism is set to establish a Philippine tourism anchored on Filipino culture, heritage, and identity, which aims to be sustainable, resilient and competitive in order to transform the Philippines into a tourism powerhouse in Asia,” Galvez said in a message delivered by De Leon.
“The NTDP captures what the Philippines have to offer to the world and signifies our relentless pursuit of leveling up the industry through a global tourism brand. As it is here in this mandate to protect the country against external and internal threats and to provide support for social and economic development, we fully embrace our commitment to this endeavor as security and peace are preconditions to national development. It is vital to place a premium on the safety of our tourists and the overall security of tourism activities across the country,” he added.
For his part, Abalos highlighted the role of tourist police and local government units (LGUs) to make the region a safe and viable destination for all.
“Through this convergence, the DILG commits to ensuring that our local police are properly deployed in tourist destinations. I also call on our LGUs to formulate their own local tourism plans, engage civic organizations in your localities, to collaborate and work together with the LGUs and other NGOs (non-government organizations) in promoting tourism developmental projects. We envision a tourism industry led by Secretary Frasco, that would really bring progress to the rural areas and promote economic activity in the provinces,” Abalos said.
“Ma’am, suportado po namin kayo. Parati akong nasa likod ninyo,” he added.
