DOT chief Frasco vows to work harder after Marcos reaffirms trust

Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin officially announced on Tuesday, 3 June, during a press conference with the Malacañang Press Corps that Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco remains part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Cabinet.

On the same day, Secretary Frasco vowed to intensify her efforts to boost Philippine tourism following Malacañang’s confirmation of her retention.

"I am deeply honored and profoundly grateful to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for the trust and confidence he has once again placed in me to continue serving as Secretary of Tourism. It is a privilege to work under his visionary leadership and to contribute to the administration’s goals of revitalizing the tourism industry, creating jobs, and promoting the Philippines as a top-of-mind destination. With this renewed commitment, I will continue to push for innovative programs to build gains for the industry and gainful livelihood for the Filipino people who rely on tourism. Our goal in the DOT is to leave no destination behind, thus to always uplift communities through tourism while engendering pride of place and honoring our national identity,” Secretary Frasco said.

In line with President Marcos’s midterm Cabinet recalibration, Secretary Frasco submitted her courtesy resignation on 22 May 2025.

The tourism chief’s retention received strong support from various organizations, including the Pacific Asia Travel Association, Philippine Tour Operators Association, Tourism Industry Board Foundation Inc., National Association of Independent Travel Agencies, Global Tourism Business Association, and Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines. Tourism stakeholders from different sectors, local government units, and tourism workers nationwide also rallied behind her.

More recently, the Philippine Hotel Owners Association and the Department of Tourism Employees Association (DOTEA) expressed their support for Secretary Frasco.

In a letter to Secretary Frasco, PHOA President Arthur M. Lopez thanked her for her steadfast support to the industry’s legacy projects. He highlighted that under her leadership, the DOT achieved significant milestones that strengthened the country’s position as a premier travel destination worldwide.

Lopez acknowledged the agency’s partnership in organizing the Philippine Tourism and Hotel Investment Summit 2024, which produced the Philippine Hotel Industry Strategic Action Plan 2023 to 2028. The plan sets a clear roadmap for strategic and sustainable growth in the hotel industry aligned with the National Tourism Development Plan’s goals.

According to Lopez, the five-year plan aims to meet the demand for over 456,000 room keys while focusing on six strategic pillars: Target, Time, Tourist Route, Trust, Technology, and Talent.

He also appreciated the collaboration between PHOA and the DOT in updating the National Accommodation Standards, known as the Star Rating, to ensure the country’s hotels remain globally competitive.

“Your support to PHOA and the hotel industry has been instrumental in shaping a resilient, innovative, and sustainable future for Philippine hospitality. Again, thank you for your leadership and support,” Lopez concluded.

Meanwhile, DOTEA President Carolyn Gabriel expressed their “full and unwavering support” for Secretary Frasco’s continued leadership at the agency, which she has headed since 2022.

“As employees of the Department of Tourism, we have firsthand experience of Secretary Frasco's dedication to excellence, her unwavering support for tourism personnel, and her commitment to upholding integrity and professionalism within the agency. Under her leadership, the Department has flourished, fostering an environment of innovation, inclusivity, and collaboration, all of which are crucial in ensuring the sustained success of our tourism sector,” Gabriel said in a letter to President Marcos.

She added that Secretary Frasco’s leadership will further strengthen the Department’s efforts to promote Philippine tourism, drive economic prosperity, and champion the welfare of those working in the industry. “Her vision and determination have inspired us to serve the public with pride and dedication, and we strongly urge her retention as Secretary of Tourism to maintain the progress she has initiated,” Gabriel wrote.