MANILA - The Department of Tourism (DOT) announces the establishment of more Tourist Rest Areas (TRA) in Cebu province after the successful launching of the TRA in the heritage city of the south, Carcar City.
On the sidelines of the inauguration of the TRA in Carcar City, Cebu, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for more TRAs in the province, particularly in Bogo City and the municipalities of Pinamungajan, Dumanjug and Santander.
According to the DOT, the additional TRAs are part of the initiative led by Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, who pledged to match the number of TRAs turned over by the DOT to the province. The DOT has inaugurated two TRAs in Medellin and now, in Carcar, with two more to be completed soon in Carmen and Moalboal.
A separate MOA was also signed by Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) Chief Operating Officer (COO) Mark Lapid for the promotion and development of TIEZA’s assets. The agreement is between the DOT’s infrastructure arm and the municipalities of Argao, Dalaguete, and Moalboal.
According to the agreement, Cebu will support TIEZA’s property marketing efforts through the Provincial Economic Enterprise Council (EEC). These high-value assets are expected to improve Cebu's tourism portfolio and package deals while also generating income and employment for the province and concerned local government units.
On August 27, the DOT officially turned over the TRA to the LGU of Carcar City, with the special attendance of First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, Vice President Sara Duterte, and DOT Sec. Frasco.
The inauguration ceremony was also attended by Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, Deputy Speaker Duke Frasco, Carcar City Mayor Patricio Barcenas, and TIEZA COO Lapid and witnessed by Senators Manuel ‘Lito’ Lapid and Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla, Jr.
"As we ventured to fulfill our President’s vision to transform the Philippines into a tourism powerhouse in Asia, we made the effort to listen. We listened to our tourism stakeholders, we listened to our tourists, and their concern was common, and that is that to and from the beautiful destinations across the country, they needed a place to rest, they needed amenities, and they needed clean and decent restrooms," Secretary Frasco said.
"Here in the heritage city of Carcar, through the tourist rest area, culture meets convenience. Through the tourist rest area, we can allow our tourists to immediately feel the love and warmth of the Filipino people, of the Cebuanos, through the amenities that we have to offer," the tourism chief added.
The TRA is the fourth completed facility and the second in Cebu Province that the DOT turned over to local government units.
The DOT earlier inaugurated completed TRAs in Medellin, Cebu; Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon; and the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS), Davao del Norte last July 10, August 4, and August 18, respectively.
In 2022, upon assumption to office, Secretary Frasco initiated the groundbreaking and development of 10 TRAs in strategic locations nationwide. This initiative aims to enhance the comfort and convenience of travellers accessing the country's tourism destinations, aligning with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s vision to elevate the overall tourist experience.
