Congress asked to look into implementation of National Tourism Policy Act

MANILA, Philippines - The Federation of Tourism Industries in the Philippines (FTIP) yesterday urged Congress to look into the implementation of the National Tourism Policy Act of 2009, claiming the Department of Tourism (DOT) has violated some of its provisions by failing to consult many accredited travel agencies when it implemented the law. 

FTIP president Alejandra Clemente said the DOT violated the rights of representation of many accredited agencies when they were not properly consulted on the drafting of the law’s implementing rules and regulations (IRR).

It also claimed that the finished IRR went beyond the intent of the Tourism Act.

“The accredited tourism enterprises were not properly represented... There was already misrepresentation from the very beginning,” Clemente told The STAR.

She said many accredited agencies were also not able to participate in the selection of nominees to head the new DOT sub-agencies Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), and the Duty Free Philippines Corp. (DFPC).

Clemente said the group is willing to discuss the issue with Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano. 

She also asked the principal authors of the law, Sen. Richard Gordon and Bohol Rep. Ed Chato, to make their position on the issue known.

“I don’t know why the authors are very silent,” Clemente said.

The group threatened to question in court the legality of the IRR and the convening of the Tourism Congress last Nov. 25.

“We’re avoiding court cases, it is our last resort,” Clemente said.

President Arroyo signed the Tourism Act in May last year to make local Philippine tourism globally competitive.