DoT welcomes new Tourism Secretary
Posted: Feb 26, 2004

Manila - Newly appointed Tourism Secretary Roberto Pagdanganan received a warm welcome from the officials and employees of the Department of Tourism and its attached agencies during the Turn-over Ceremonies held at the DoT Quadrangle yesterday.

Pagdanganan, who was accompanied by officials and employees of the Department of Agrarian Reform upon his arrival to DoT, received the DoT seal from Undersecretary Rolando Reyes and Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) General Manager Dean Robert Barbers to signify his assumption as tourism secretary.

The new tourism chief vows to continue the programs of former secretary Dick Gordon in the past. First and foremost among his priorities is to bring in more tourists and to achieve the 2.2 million target in tourist arrivals in order to generate 100 billion peso revenue this year. He would bat on shooting for a 20% increase in tourist arrivals on a month-to-month basis.

Tourism Secretary Pagdanganan stressed that he would urged the promotion of domestic tourism through the holiday economics and the RORO program of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo which contributed to the accessibility of any tourist destination. He said that he would consult with other tourism stakeholders on the possible reduction of hotels room rates and to make it affordable to more domestic tourists.

He will discuss with the other government agencies especially with the Philippine National Police (PNP) to address issues concerning peace and order situation in Metro Manila and other major hubs.

He stressed that he would continue to promote the culture of tourism in his program by keeping the airport clean and tidy for tourists to come in and at the same time, plan to develop a weekly award system for taxi drivers, waiters and employees of tourism establishments so that they too, would be recognized for their good deeds.

He associated his marketing role as tourism chief with his 18-years experience he had as a senior marketing executive at the Unilever PRC where he held various positions in marketing and technical divisions from June 1968 to March 1986.

In his speech during the turn-over ceremonies, Pagdanganan mentioned that tourism means jobs and therefore a key to economic development. He added that he would very happy to see farmers becoming tourists someday.

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