BACOLOD CITY, Philippines ? Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano, a member of the Nationalist People's Coalition, on Thursday said he was seriously considering running for the Senate next year.

Durano, who attended the Adobo Festival in Silay City and the Pintaflores Festival in San Carlos City held Thursday, said he was awaiting the decision of his party on which presidential candidate to support.

The priority was to find an appropriate presidential candidate for Sen. Loren Legarda to run in tandem with, he told the Inquirer.

The NPC has announced that it would field Legarda as its vice-presidential candidate.

Durano said Legarda logically could run with Sen. Manny Villar of the Nationalista Party or Gilberto Teodoro of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD.

The tourism secretary said he was interested in running for the Senate because he has seen its influence on budget allocations and how the Visayas and Mindanao were under-represented.

He wanted to represent the interests of the Visayas and Mindanao so their concerns on matters such as infrastructure and power could get attention, too, Durano said.

Meanwhile, he stressed the need for a holistic approach to tourism development in the provinces.

Durano said while festivals were important because they stir the community spirit and pride of people, and draw tourists, they happen only once a year.

He noted the importance of developing tourist attractions, manmade or natural, which could draw tourists all year round.

Part of this holistic approach was the culinary delights that a place has to offer, he added.