MANILA, Philippines—It was envisioned to be a productive partnership between the government and the private sector, but on Saturday outgoing Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim and Tourism Congress (TC) vice president Jaime Cura traded strong accusations that bared what apparently has been ailing the tourism sector since last year.
According to Cura, Lim “ignored and snubbed” the Tourism Congress, a private body created under the Tourism Act of 2009 to help the government formulate policies on tourism. The Congress’ members included national associations of tourism enterprises such as hotels and resorts, travel agencies, airlines and transportation companies.
Lim denied this. ”I invited them to my consultation, and they invited me to their meetings. But when I turn my back, they say something else. Medyo insecure sila,” he said.
Lim admitted that the criticisms were hurting his family. “Yes, it was a pressure, especially on my family,” said Lim, who has resigned as tourism secretary effective August 31.
Cura and Lim were interviewed on Radyo Inquirer 990AM.
Lim denied he ignored the TC. The problem, he said, was that some of their members resented his decision to revise the Internal Rules and Regulations or implementing guidelines of the congress.
Lim also said the officers of the TC were elected under the IRR which he wanted to revise. He said of the 1,300 to 2,000 members of the Tourism Congress, only about 50 were able to attend the first election.
“These people who are criticizing me, they are scared about losing their positions,” Lim said in Filipino.
Lim said the problem with the IRR has been there since the time of his predecessor, Ace Durano. “I only inherited the situation,” he said.
Cura, however, said the problem was in Lim’s management style.
“Hindi siya mahilig sa consultation. He is aloof, snobbish. He is thorough and educated, but not friendly,” Cura said.
Cura accused Lim of siding with a travel agency which questioned the IRR of the Tourism Congress. “Lim listened to this small company at the risk of alienating the rest of us,” Cura said.
Cura said the Congress was not pushing for any personality to take over from Lim, but just someone who can be an “inspirer, motivator and unifier” in the tourism industry.
Lim said he was able to create over 400,000 jobs, championed the open-skies policy and prepared a national tourism development plan which he will turn over to his successor.
In the meantime, Lim said he will take his family on a vacation in Bohol.