Stakeholders optimistic; Durano’s name floated

Tourism stakeholders in Cebu and across the country greeted voiced surprise over Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim’s decision to resign from his post yesterday noon.

Citing personal reasons, Lim announced his resignation at a news briefing in Malacañang. President Aquino accepted his resignation, which becomes effective on Aug. 31.

In resigning his post, Lim said he needed to spend time with his family.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said President Aquino was looking for a replacement for Lim.

Among the candidates being floated are an advertising executive who was part of President Aquino’s election campaign in 2010, former tourism secretary Ace Durano, a Davao City ad executive and even former senatorial candidate Riza Hontiveros-Baraquel.

News of Lim’s impending departure came a day after he declined to comment on reports and calls for his exit from the agency.

Already, the Cebu chapter of SKAL, an organization of tourism leaders around the world, voiced its support for the return of Durano who once served under the former Arroyo administration.

At the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC), where Lim attended the opening of the 2011 Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) Conference, news of his resignation drew surprise and optimism.

Looking forward

Marco Polo general manager Hans Hauri said the Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC), which he heads as president, thanks Lim for his service to the country.

“The decision for change was made at a different level and we look forward to the newly appointed incumbent to work with him through the Tourism Congress as documented in Republic Act 9593,” Hauri said.

When asked whether Lim’s resignation was bad timing due to the ongoing MICE Conference, Hauri said he believed there is no such thing.

He said Lim’s resignation won’t affect whatever programs or goals were set by participants of the event.

The Tourism Congress, which draws participation from hotel, travel agency, resorts and restaurant operators and other stakeholders in the country, voiced displeasure over Lim’s reported failure to consult them on tourism programs.

One such failure was the “Pilipinas Kay Ganda” logo campaign, which they said was copied from Poland’s tourism logo.

In last Thursday’s interview, Lim denied he was resigning and said he wanted to focus on his job first.

Direction

With Lim leaving, the new tourism secretary should be someone who will identify and tap the country’s core strengths to develop a strategy that will give direction to the tourism industry, said Alfred Reyes, official of developer Quantuvis.

Travel agency operators also declined to elaborate on Lim’s resignation.

Jenny Franco, president of the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies Cebu Chapter, said she doesn’t want to dwell “on the past.”

“I look forward to the uniting of the tourism industry and whoever is the next Secretary. We in the Tourism Congress will look forward to work with him for the benefit of the industry.”

NAITAS founding president Angel Bognot, who is in Cebu for the MICE Conference, said Lim’s resignation is expected following the “Pilipinas Kay Ganda” fiasco and the Manila hostage crisis that resulted in the deaths of Chinese tourists.

“That only means we need better administration. With this development we hope we will be able to see the needed direction of the Philippine tourism industry,” Bognot said.

Cebu Parklane International Hotel general manager Cenelyn Manguilimotan said she was worried over who will take on the development plans for Cebu like the airport expansion.

Manguilimotan said Lim met with leaders of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Cebu Business Club to discuss about these plans.

“It’s so sad because we thought that would be the start of a deeper collaboration with DOT. Anyhow, we are looking forward,” Manguilimotan said.

Move fast

Cebu Business Club president Gordon Alan Joseph said Lim’s resignation was premature.

“He just spent a year developing a tourism plan for the Philippines that needs to be implemented,” Joseph said in a text message sent to Cebu Daily News.

Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Eric Ng Mendoza said Lim’s resignation meant that tourism industry stakeholders should move fast in endorsing to President Benigno Aquino III a new secretary.

“Resignation calls came several months earlier since he failed to bring a tourism development plan and he was not able to demonstrate strong leadership,” Mendoza said.

SKAL Cebu president Charles Lim said one such candidate is Cebuano and former tourism secretary Ace Durano.

“Can we rally for Ace Durano to become secretary again? I would love to lead that campaign,” he said.

“We have a strong and vibrant private sector here and it (Lim’s resignation) should not affect Cebu at all.” He said it’s time for the country to move forward.

“We cannot continue saying that we have no budget for promoting the Philippines. We don’t want restrictive Executive Orders that don’t support local players in the industry. We have stalled in many areas lately,” Lim said.

People skills

Travel executive Robert Lim Joseph, who called for Secretary Lim’s resignation and the abolition of DOT last Wednesday, said he is “definitely” satisfied and happy of Secretary Lim’s resignation.

“We need somebody who is not biased, aloof, someone with people skills and don’t think so highly of himself, we need someone who is honest and with integrity,” Joseph said.

He said he heard of a new name to replace Secretary Lim come Sept. 1.

“His name is Ramon Jimenez from Davao. He is an advertising executive, a no-nonsense guy and we are very optimistic and excited to be able to work with him towards the growth of the tourism industry,” Joseph said.

In Manila, a Palace source told the Inquirer that ad executive Ramon R. Jimenez, who has ties to both the “Samar” and “Balay” factions in the Aquino administration, is being entertained.

Elsewhere, Cebu officials voiced sympathy to Lim for his decision to quit as tourism secretary.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said he spoke with Lim at dinner with National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary General Cayetano Paderanga Jr.

“It has been said and done. If he did it (resign), that is also his personal choice,” Rama said.

Good ideas

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said if she were Lim, she wouldn’t have resigned because of the mandate given by the President.

She told reporters that the calls for Lim’s resignation didn’t come from the public. Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale said she admired Lim for choosing to resign.

“I realized that tourism was really in his heart. I’ve heard about his plans … let’s respect his decision,” Magpale said. If Lim was given enough time, Magpale said he would’ve implemented good programs.

“He had many good ideas,” the vice governor said.   Reporter Aileen Garcia-Yap, Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac and Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus with an Inquirer report