DOT’s Frasco leads groundbreaking of Tourist Rest Area in Palawan

Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco spearheaded the groundbreaking ceremony of the 10th Tourist Rest Area (TRA) in Palawan, which aims to enhance the overall tourist experience of both foreign and local visitors.

During the ceremony, Frasco was joined by Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) Chief Operating Officer (COO) Mark Lapid, and Roxas Mayor Dennis Sabando, who all formally signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to build the new tourist facility in Roxas town in the Province of Palawan.

The signing event was witnessed by Palawan 1st District Representative Edgardo Salvame, and 2nd District Representative Jose Alvarez, who was the former governor of the province.

The TRA, a flagship project of the DOT, is a convergence point that foreign and local travelers could approach to: get information on tourism sites and attractions, activities, accommodations; report concerns related to safety and security; and gain access to other provisions necessary during their stay at a destination, such as a clean restroom.

It will also have charging stations and a pasalubong center that would help boost the livelihood of micro, small, and medium enterprises.

The facility will rise inbetween El Nido, Coron, and San Vicente, considered as the tourist magnets of the province where bulk of its tourist arrivals come from.

“We have broken the ground on this tourist rest area in Palawan, particularly in Roxas. This is well-situated in between other LGUs in Palawan for the purpose of ensuring that we fulfill one of the objectives of the President and that is to enhance the overall tourism experience,” the tourism chief said in a speech, citing that collaboration is essential for the recovery of the sector.

“Having been a local chief executive, we aim to strengthen tourism governance through close collaboration with our national government, our local government officials as well as public and private stakeholders. Tourism is not a one-man job. It is only by our collaboration between each other that we would be able to rise back in the industry stronger than ever,” she noted.

Description: Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco spearheaded the groundbreaking ceremony of the 10th Tourist Rest Area in Palawan, which aims to enhance the overall tourist experience of both foreign and local visitors. The signing event was witnessed by Palawan 1st District Rep. Edgardo Salvame, and 2nd District Rep. Jose Alvarez.