MANILA — The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Tuesday welcomed the Commission on Appointment’s (CA) approval on the nomination of Bernadette Romulo-Puyat as the agency’s chief.
In less than 10 minutes, the CA Committee on Tourism and Economic Development, without objection from any panel members, endorsed the approval to the plenary.
Last May 11, Romulo-Puyat was appointed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte to replace then Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo who resigned following the controversial PHP60-million advertisement deal between state-run television network PTV-4 and DOT.
In her opening speech before the CA panel, Romulo-Puyat vowed she will bring to the agency her experience as economist, educator, and government executive.
Prior to her appointment, Romulo-Puyat was an undersecretary of the Department of Agriculture.
“We will faithfully pursue the mandate of RA 9593 or Tourism Act of 2009 that is a national policy for tourism as an engine for investments, employment, growth and national development,” she said.
“We will prioritize improving policies on access, connectivity, and security as well as enhance programs on tourism infrastructure,” she added.
Meanwhile, she affirmed that DOT, under her leadership, will continue its regular consultations with industry groups such as the Tourism Congress of the Philippines and partners in the legislature and executive branches of government.
On Boracay’s rehabilitation, she said the agency will continue to work with the task force, business sector, and local communities to transform the island into a “champion of sustainable and responsible tourism.”
She likewise reiterated her strong view on promoting farm tourism.
“My advocacy on food, farmers, and farming will play a major part in my full entry into tourism. We will pursue the rollout of RA 10816 or the Farm Tourism Development Act of 2016 that will ultimately preserve our farms, increase revenue streams to the countryside, create new markets, and increase arrivals.”
Romulo-Puyat will face the CA in plenary on Wednesday.
Malacañang, meanwhile, welcomed Romulo-Puyat’s confirmation noting that the tourism industry is an important sector for economic development.
“We thus welcome the confirmation of the appointment of Ms. Bernadette Romulo-Puyat as the new Secretary of the Department of Tourism,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.
“We are confident that Secretary Puyat’s confirmation would give further impetus to the reforms she has spearheaded in the DOT,” he added. (With reports from Azer N. Parrocha/PNA)
