MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) affirms its support to the Marcos administration’s efforts to ensure peace and security in the country, as it lays down its full cooperation to the strategies of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
According to Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco during the oathtaking of Cabinet Officers for Regional Development and Security (CORDS), she said that the among the primary duties and responsibilities of each CORDS, according to NTF-ELCAC Execom Resolution No. 1, include assistance on the aspect of articulating the region’s concerns and perceptions in the Cabinet, with the other Departments, the Office of the President and other concerned agencies.
“The approval of the NTF-ELCAC Execom Resolution No. 1 is a tacit manifestation of the enduring commitment of the Marcos administration to upholding lasting peace and economic prosperity. As the CORDS for the Joint Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (JRTF-ELCAC) in Central Visayas, we see this as an opportunity for wider collaboration with our partners and stakeholders in Central Visayas to further our tourism gains,” Frasco said.
The statement comes after Frasco took her oath as one of the Cabinet Officers for CORDS in the ceremony administered by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. during the 2nd NTF-ELCAC Execom Meeting on 31 August 2023, that will head the various JRTF-ELCAC per region.
The NTF-ELCAC Execom Resolution No. 1 also formalized the appointment of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte as the Co-Vice Chairperson of the NTF-ELCAC, and the designation of the CORDS for each JRTF-ELCAC, with Secretary Frasco designated as CORDS for the JRTF in Region VII. The Secretary hails from the province of Cebu.
The CORDS lead per region shall assist the President in the speedy, efficient, and orderly resolution of problems in government operations in the assigned region, as well as preside over joint meetings of the Regional Development Council (RDC) and Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) to harmonize peace, security, and development efforts in the assigned region.
Likewise, the CORDS shall ensure the implementation of all programs, projects, and activities of the national government, information dissemination, as well as conduct consultations with local officials and the private sector in the region of assignment.
At present, Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo of the Armed Forces of the Philippines – Visayas Command and Police Regional Office (PRO-7 Regional Director) PB Gen. Jerry Bearis both sit as Vice Chairpersons of the RPOC 7, while the chair position is yet to be filled.
Meanwhile, the Regional Development Council (RDC) 7 is chaired by Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado, and co-chaired by Mr. Kenneth C. Cobonpue.
To familiarize the newly-designated CORDS with their respective roles as heads of the JRTFs, the NTF-ELCAC conducted a CORDS Orientation for the officials shortly after their oathtaking.
Frasco, on her part as the Tourism Chief, is actively pursuing the equal promotion and development of tourism across the country, particularly the lesser known-destinations, through the DOT’s convergence with the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), to ensure peace and security across the regions.
