DOT to ensure Tourism Act weathers new administration

(The Freeman) Updated October 09, 2009 12:00 AM

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Tourism will make sure that the Tourism Act of 2009 will have its smooth implementation even with the changing administration likely after the 2010 national elections.

DOT Undersecretary Phineas Alburo said yesterday that after 45 years of waiting for a good tourism law, they will not let the changing administration affect the implementation of the new set of tourism policies created to boost the tourism industry of the country.

Republic Act 9593 or the National Tourism Act of 2009 was signed into law by President Gloria Arroyo last May 12 here in Cebu.

It declares tourism as one of the country’s engines of investments and employment, and of growth and national development that needs strengthening of the tourism department and its attached agencies to effectively and efficiently implement policies and appropriate funds.

Its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) are now being drafted and due for consultations with the different stakeholders across different regions in the country. The IRR shall define the specific standards and procedures for the implementation of the provisions of RA 9593.

DOT has formed a task force with 12 members from the different tourism sectors to draft the IRR so that by the time they conduct public consultations and hearings, they will have a copy to be presented to concerned individuals and groups that they can scrutinize and modify to come up with an IRR that addresses a national concern.

Consultation among stakeholders in Luzon is today while Visayas and Mindanao’s turn is on October 14 and 15 respectively. DOT is confident that the final draft will be submitted on November 11 and will be approved by the Secretary of Tourism shortly after.

Alburo said that it is very important for the IRR to be finished on time so that they will be able to appoint members of the board by December during the Tourism Congress.

“Board members have to be in place immediately to ensure that there is a stable management even if the government changes leadership,” Alburo said.

In the recent Kapihan sa PIA, Alburo presented the highlights of the Tourism Act which includes funding sources and fiscal incentives available for DOT, its attached agencies and the other players in the tourism industry of the country.

The act provides that the Tourism Promotions Board and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority will each have a capitalization of P250 million to be subscribed by the national government.

It also provides funding for TPB from investment earnings of the Tourism Promotions Trust, 50 percent of the proceeds from travel tax collections, a reasonable share from the collection of the office of the Tourism Resource Generation, subsidies or grants and income from projects managed by the TIEZA.

TPB will also get funding from at least 25 percent of the 50 percent national government share remitted by the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation to the national government and at least 25 percent of the national government share remitted by the international airports and seaports to the national treasury.

Alburo added that fiscal incentives are also available for Tourist Economic Zone operators and registered enterprises at the discretion of the TIEZA board that is in charge of TEZ accreditation. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/BRP (THE FREEMAN)