Press Release
November 28, 2013

Through public policy and budget reform
Nancy rallies support for PHL tourism

Senator Nancy Binay expressed her support to bolster the local travel industry through public policy directed at improving tourism programs and by moving budgetary reforms to help the industry.

During the 1st National Conference on Tourism Governance held at the SMX Convention Center at the SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City last November 25, Binay vowed to help jumpstart the tourism industry, most especially in the Central Visayas which was greatly devastated by the 7.2-magnitude earthquake and battered by Super Typhoon Yolanda that hit the area recently.

For the conference's initial foray, the organizers - the University of the Philippines Asian Institute of Tourism (UP AIT), the Tourism Foundation Inc., (TFI) and the Department of Tourism (DoT) - chose the theme "Sustainability and Inclusivity in Governance of Tourism Destinations."

This is to highlight the exchange of knowledge and best practices among government units and agencies to "effectively utilize tourism as a sustainable development tool to achieve inclusive growth."

"I believe that this is the most opportune time for us to be truly be united in helping our country pick ourselves up," Binay said.

An alumna of the UP AIT, Binay detailed, in her keynote speech, her firsthand experience in providing aid and support to local government units handling disaster management and relief operations in Central Visayas. She shared that there were many tourism destinations that were devastated by these calamities and cited that helping the tourism industry in these areas may greatly improve the recovery of the local community.

"My experience in helping out with the local government, with the housing sector, as a tourism graduate and as a mother, there is but one thing to do - help the people. Feed them, clothe them and give them shelter. Help them get back to their feet and give them back their dignity. Help the people and you will bring back their unity. With unity, the community will again thrive," Binay said.

Binay encouraged the participants, students, the academe, private partners and the local government units to share their suggestions and best practices so that these programs can be further developed, introduced and used in different affected areas in the Visayas.

"Holding this conference that highlights the exchange of best-practices, practical lessons and hard-earned experiences among our government units is the best way for us to truly cope and uplift our affected tourism industry, especially in the Visayas. I also believe that this conference will open our eyes and help us realize what we can do to be better," Binay concluded.

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