Philippines DOT Welcomes Three New Undersecretaries To Drive Inclusive Tourism, Strengthen Sector Leadership and Boost National Growth And Community Impact

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Gishan Das

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June 10, 2026 02:13 GMT+5:30

With the appointment of the following undersecretaries: Undersecretary Stanley K. Ng, Undersecretary Maria Victoria Jasmin, and Undersecretary Maria Dionesia Rivera-Guillermo, the leadership team of the Department of Tourism (DOT) of the Republic of the Philippines has been bolstered. The three undersecretaries were warmly welcomed at DOT under the chairmanship of Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay, as there is now an effort to ensure that the Philippine tourism industry is promoted in terms of being sustainable, inclusive, and participative, among others.

The inclusion of the three undersecretaries to DOT comes as part of the Department’s primary objective — as provided in the Tourism Act of 2009 (Republic Act No. 9593) — which is to develop a tourism industry that will be competitive, sustainable, culturally respectful, participative, and inclusive.

A Blend of Public and Private Sector Expertise

Undersecretary Stanley K. Ng brings a wealth of experience from the aviation and corporate sectors, having previously served as president and chief operating officer of Philippine Airlines (PAL). His expertise in aviation operations, route expansion and international connectivity is expected to play an important role in strengthening the Philippines travel access infrastructure, a critical factor in broadening tourism’s reach to both domestic and international travellers.

Maria Victoria Jasmin returns to the DOT with extensive experience in tourism promotion and regulatory coordination, having served in leadership roles in both government and consulting. Her background positions her to enhance policy coordination, resource generation and regulatory frameworks that support tourism business growth across the archipelago. Undersecretary Maria Dionesia Rivera‑Guillermo brings strong experience in public administration and financial management. Her leadership is expected to further reinforce internal governance functions and ensure efficient use of resources across tourism programmes. Together, the trio joins a revitalised tourism leadership team tasked with tackling priority programmes under the DOT’s National Tourism Development Plan 2023–2028, which emphasises holistic and inclusive development of emerging and secondary destinations, infrastructure enhancement, workforce skills training, and sustainable growth.

Tourism as a National Development Priority

The Philippines government recognises tourism as a central pillar of national development. Official tourism forecasts and government statements have emphasised the sector’s capacity to generate jobs, sustain livelihoods, and foster economic resilience. For instance, DOT projections have indicated that tourism could contribute significantly to the national economy, with estimates worth trillions of pesos in overall impact through direct and indirect contributions.

In line with this, the Department’s programmes continue to strengthen tourism infrastructure, facilitate global market access, and support quality service standards across the country. Efforts include forging partnerships with local governments and national agencies to improve connectivity, workforce capabilities, safety standards, and marketing approaches that showcase the unique cultural and natural assets of the Philippines.

Inclusive tourism has also become a key objective, with initiatives such as the Philippine Experience Program (PEP) being implemented across multiple regions to create curated travel experiences that reflect local culture, economics and community participation. As of late 2025, this programme had expanded to numerous regions nationwide, helping to link local services and tourism‑related entrepreneurship opportunities with global travel platforms.

Advancing Regional and Community‑Centred Tourism

A central tenet of the DOT’s agenda is expanding tourism benefits to smaller communities and emerging destinations. Historically, tourism growth in the Philippines has been concentrated in well‑known metropolitan and coastal areas, yet official government strategy now emphasises diversification of tourism product offerings and support for secondary and rural destinations.

This shift supports inclusive growth by opening opportunities for community‑based tourism enterprises, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and local stakeholders to participate actively in tourism value chains. Partnerships between government agencies like the DOT and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have focused on empowering MSMEs, increasing access to financing, and integrating local products and services into tourism circuits. Such multi‑agency cooperation demonstrates a growing commitment to ensure tourism’s benefits are widely distributed across regions and socio‑economic groups.

In addition to business development, inclusive tourism planning aims to protect cultural heritage, celebrate indigenous traditions, and bolster opportunities for community‑led initiatives. These approaches tie into broader goals of preserving cultural identity while generating sustainable income sources for local residents — bridging economic development with cultural stewardship.

Prioritising Tourism Sustainability and Resilience

Beyond economic growth, the DOT’s mandate emphasises sustainable and resilient tourism development that respects environmental limits and protects cultural and natural heritage. This focus remains critical in a country prone to natural disasters and climate impacts, where resilient tourism infrastructure and risk‑reduction strategies contribute to safer destinations and enhanced visitor confidence.

The leadership team’s expanded mandate includes strengthening policies that enhance sustainability, promote responsible tourism, and align tourism growth with international standards and development frameworks. This includes emphasising energy‑efficient infrastructure, community conservation efforts and environmental performance in destination planning and development.

Driving Inclusive Tourism Through Policy and Investment

Inclusive tourism growth hinges not only on community participation and cultural preservation but also on strategic policy and investment flows. DOT’s current leadership has signalled a proactive approach to attracting domestic and international investment into the tourism sector, underscoring the importance of a robust ecosystem of capital, infrastructure, enterprise development and market access. Investment in tourism infrastructure — including transportation links, digital connectivity, accommodation capacity and public safety measures — remains a priority.

By improving accessibility and travel convenience, the DOT aims to broaden market reach, reduce travel barriers, and provide equitable opportunities for all regions to benefit from tourism growth. At the same time, policy reforms to streamline tourism operations, enhance regulatory frameworks, and support quality standards reflect an ongoing commitment to sustainable, inclusive sector development. These measures signal confidence to private sector partners and international stakeholders who may invest in tourism projects that further support national growth objectives.

Expanding Tourism Beyond Traditional Metrics

While international arrival numbers and revenue projections remain important, the DOT’s leadership emphasises a deeper understanding of tourism performance that includes domestic travel participation, employment generation, community impact and inclusive outcomes. This broader view recognises that tourism’s success is tied not just to visitor statistics but to quality of life improvements, distribution of economic opportunities and cultural enrichment across Filipino communities.

Widespread domestic tourism, workforce training initiatives, and partnerships with digital platforms for experience curation all contribute to this inclusive approach, ensuring that tourism growth resonates across demographic and geographic segments.

Vision for the Future: Inclusive, Competitive, Sustainable Tourism

The appointment of Undersecretaries Ng, Jasmin, and Rivera‑Guillermo marks a significant step toward realising the DOT’s vision for a Philippine tourism sector that is competitive on the global stage, inclusive in its benefits, and sustainable in its practices. Their combined expertise will help advance programmes that empower local stakeholders, build resilient communities and promote diverse tourism products rooted in cultural identity, natural beauty and service excellence.

Looking ahead, Philippines tourism is poised to harness its inherent advantages — from rich cultural heritage and ecological diversity to entrepreneurial spirit and vibrant local communities — driving growth that is equitable, innovative and future‑ready. With a strengthened leadership team that bridges public‑private sector experience, the country’s tourism ecosystem can push forward new models of development that place people, sustainability and inclusivity at the centre.

A New Chapter for Philippine Tourism

The appointment of Undersecretaries Ng, Jasmin and Rivera-Guillermo to the DOT demonstrates that there is also a larger strategy being employed by the nation as a whole in making sure that its citizens derive the maximum benefit from tourism through better governance, investment, policy reforms and community involvement.

These new appointments will be expected to promote Philippine tourism not only in the international market but also make sure that tourism can serve to offer benefits to the country’s economy, preserve culture, adopt sustainable practices and create equal opportunities for all concerned parties. As the industry moves forward, there is much scope for the Philippines to innovate in its efforts to grow the tourism sector in an effective manner.

Image Source: Philippines DOT