Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte advised municipal officials on Tuesday to conduct a study of their locality’s strengths and the budget needed before rolling out tourism programs.
In her message during the 2023 League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) General Assembly at The Manila Hotel on February 21, 2023 Duterte said it is important to identify the strength of the area as a municipality to invest the tourism budget in.
“Unang-una po sa turismo, kailangan nyo po ng pag-aaral. Hindi po pwede na kung ano yung gusto ninyo na maging tourism program ng inyong lugar ay pwede na syang i-rollout. Kailangan po muna ay gumawa kayo ng feasibility study para po kailangan nyo ng budget para sa pag-aaral, para po makikita ninyo kung anong ano ang strengths ng inyong lugar,” she said.
She also said municipalities need a partnership with the private sector because it is where the money is.
Duterte cited Davao City’s strengths, which are peace and order and tourism.
“May I just share my experience as city mayor, hindi po ako ang pinakamagaling o expert as a city mayor pero meron din akong nine years na naging city mayor and one of the strengths of Davao City during my administration was tourism and peace and order. Sa amin po sa Davao City dahil wala naman kaming magagandang dagat na gustong puntahan ng karamihan, tumutok po kami sa MICE market o yung Meetings, Incentive, Travels, Conventions and Exhibit,” she said.
She also said municipalities need ancillary services that come with services to and from the airport.
Thirdly, Duterte said municipals should study short and long-term plans for tourism.
“Kapag sinabi po natin na long term, yun po yung mga plano na iniiwan ninyo labas o beyond your term. Sabihin na natin nakabuo ka ng 9 years, kailangan po yung plano ninyo na long term ay umaabot po sa susunod na mayor. Dahil napakahalaga po ng continuity ng mga programa ng isang local government unit para po hindi nasasayang ang inyong mga investments sa inyong tourism program at naiinstitutionalize ninyo ang lahat ng inyong mga ginagawa,” she said.
