Tourism chief Bert Lim quits

MANILA, Philippines - Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim today announced in Malacañang that he has resigned from his post.

"I would like to announce that I have tendered my resignation as Secretary of Tourism and head of the department's attached agencies, effective August 31, 2011," Lim announced. "The President has kindly accepted my resignation."

Amid rumors that he was one of the "headaches" of President Aquino, Lim said that his decision to quit was personal.

"I would like to spend more time with my family. My responsibilities require a great deal of travel and time away from my loved ones," he said.

In a press briefing following his announcement, Lim said that he will stay on as secretary until the President finds his successor.

He said that he will help President Aquino in the selection process for his replacement. He also said that he will make sure that his successor would be fully briefed on the programs of the Department of Tourism, particularly his proposed tourism development plan.

"I will brief my successor, whoever he or she is, of the plan because it is a big plan: a very detailed roadmap of actions to be taken in the next five years," he said, adding that the action plan's main goal is to double international arrivals by 2016.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda told reporters that President Aquino accepted Lim's resignation last Monday, but it was not immediately made public to allow Lim to attend the M.I.C.E (Meetings, Incentive travel, Conventions, Exhibitions and Events) conference in Cebu.

Lacierda briefly enumerated Lim's achievements during his one-year stint in the Department of Tourism.

“During his period of service as Secretary of Tourism, international visitors increased to an unprecedented level: over 3.7 million arrivals between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011. This was an increase of over half a million visitors over the previous 12-month period. Domestic travelers increased from 25 to 28 million. An estimated 400,000 jobs were created as a result," the presidential spokesperson said.

Lacierda said that Lim was the chief advocate of the Pocket Open Skies Policy, "the landmark breakthrough from the protectionist policies of the past."

"All these are remarkable achievements. He has been a conscientious and highly dedicated member of the President’s official family. He has put in place enduring policy foundations for tourism’s growth in fulfillment of the President’s vision; and he has done so with tenacity, integrity, and vigor," he added.

Lim, meanwhile, denied that he was one of the three rumored "headaches" of President Aquino. He also denied that he and the President had a falling out and that it was the reason for his resignation.

"I think you have to ask the President whether I was one of his headaches, [but] I don't think so," he said.

Lim said that he is still open to the possibility of serving again in the government.

He added that he will continue to support President Aquino.

"I continue to support him because I believe he is a good president," Lim said.

Lim came under attack early in his stint as tourism secretary after his "blunder" on the rebranding of the Philippines' tourism campaign, particularly the "Pilipinas Kay Ganda" logo, which was supposed to replace "Wow! Philippines".

The logo was later found out as a copied version of Poland's tourism campaign logo.

Lim is the second Aquino Cabinet member to resign. Last June, Transportation and Communications Secretary Jose "Ping" de Jesus resigned.