DOT says more airports, seaports, routes to ease travel

MANILA, Philippines — To allow tourists a hassle-free experience in exploring the country’s tourist spots, the Department of Tourism (DOT) will improve tourism-related infrastructure nationwide.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco, in one of her listening tours, told DOT regional heads that she is assessing the possibility of developing more airports and seaports as well as additional routes to create more convenient connections for domestic and international visitors.

The heads from the Western, Central and Eastern Visayas; Zamboanga; Northern Mindanao; Davao; Soccsksargen and Caraga regions raised the issues on infrastructure and transportation as well as the availability and utilization of funds related to their respective tourism programs.

“I’m hopeful that you would be open to the innovations we wish to introduce to the department, if only to fulfill our President’s vision to equalize opportunities for tourism promotion and development across the Philippines,” Frasco said.

“On one hand, to maximize the potential of our already well-known tourist sites and, on the other, to further develop areas that have not necessarily been given equal attention,” she added.

Frasco expressed belief that domestic tourism would “continue to flourish and succeed” if the DOT regional offices, local government units and private stakeholders “are all aligned.”

Meanwhile, Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan said his department would continue to pursue big-ticket projects under the Build, Build, Build program of the previous administration as instructed by President Marcos.

Bonoan said Marcos has instructed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to prioritize infrastructure that would aid in food security amid rising inflation, as well as the interconnectivity of regions and convergence programs with other agencies.

He added that the DPWH would continue to tap the private sector for the country’s road network improvement through a public-private partnership. – Jose Rodel Clapano