Ma. Christina Frasco. INQUIRER Visayas file photo
MANILA, Philippines — Liloan, Cebu Mayor Christina Frasco, who will head the Department of Tourism (DOT) under President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s administration, wants to revitalize the tourism sector in a bid to help boost the country’s post-pandemic growth.
Frasco on Tuesday said she has seen in her home province in Cebu what “effective tourism governance” can do to revive the sector in areas impacted by the pandemic and other calamities.
“It is with profound gratitude and deep humility that I accept the offer of President-elect Bongbong Marcos to serve the Filipino people as the next Secretary of the Department of Tourism,” Frasco said in a statement.
“I am eager to support President-elect Marcos’ vision to revitalize tourism so it may significantly propel the Philippines’ post-pandemic economic growth,” she added.
Prior to the announcement of her appointment to the tourism portfolio, Frasco served as Vice President-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio’s campaign spokesperson.
Frasco was also re-elected as mayor of Liloan town in Cebu in elections last May. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said once Frasco assumes as tourism secretary, the elected vice mayor will take the mayoral post.
READ: Sara Duterte spox Christina Frasco to serve as tourism secretary
“I wish to thank Vice President-elect Sara Duterte for entrusting me with the honor of being her spokesperson. I look forward to serving with her and the President-elect as they usher in a new era of unity, prosperity and hope for our country,” Frasco said.
“My gratitude also goes to my family and the people of Liloan for their unwavering support throughout my time as Mayor. I will carry with me their love and affection as I heed the call to serve our country in a larger capacity,” she added.
Frasco’s appointment was announced on Monday. She is the daughter of Cebu governor Gwendolyn Garcia who backed Marcos’ presidential bid, together with her One Cebu party.
Notably, Marcos won big in the most vote-rich province in the country after receiving over 1.5 million votes there.
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