Local News

"Puyat, Moreno give impetus to Manila's sustainable development"— Tuesday, August 6, 2019

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo—Puyat joins Manila Mayor Isko Moreno today (Tuesday) for an ocular inspection of major areas of the city's "tourism circuit."

This developed as the Department of Tourism (DOT) chief embraced the City chief executive's initiative to help revive Manila's historical and cultural sites to bring back its old glory.

"We are grateful for Mayor Isko's initiative to help the Duterte administration's commitment to sustainable development. As far as DOT is concerned, that means preserving our heritage tourism sites, protecting and nurturing them for posterity," says Sec. Puyat.

She assured full support for the redevelopment of the tourism industry in the capital city from the DOT National Capital Region and DOT's attached agencies, namely: Intramuros Administration (IA), Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), and the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC).

"Tourism is a major driver for economic development in the country. Two of the attached agencies of the DOT are located in Manila — IA and NPDC. IA's current thrusts are focused on the urban regeneration of the district through conservation, heritage and tourism. For the past two years, considerable developments have been made," says Sec. Puyat.

She added that for the remaining three years of the President's term, IA shall focus on the following: 1.) Addressing the problem of informal settlers through the socialized housing program with Socialized Housing and Finance Corporation (SHFC); 2.) Development of the Maestranza Creative Hub that will see a convergence of the creative economy, tourism and heritage that will principally benefit the City.

The NPDC on the other hand, along with TIEZA, shall be leading the redevelopment of Rizal Park, particularly the Esplanade and the Children's Playground to attract people anew to visit Rizal Park.

"We see the City Government of Manila as an active partner and advocate in the promotion of sustainable tourism in the country. Sustainable Tourism isn't limited to our beaches, but also in the urban area as well," says Sec. Puyat.

"Being the capital city, we believe that Manila can be a template for sustainable tourism development in an urban setting. This can be done through Mayor Isko's efforts of reclaiming public spaces, parks, resolving traffic, deployment of police, and provision of basic services. Going back to the basics to encourage visitors not to skip Manila in their itinerary," the DOT Chief goes on to say.