Gordon leads clean-up drive

Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon leads today’s clean-up drive dubbed "Turismo-Tungkulin ng Bawat Pilipino" along the Old MIA Road in Parañaque, a follow up to his first clean-up drive conducted recently.

Cesar Villanueva, Department of Tourism (DOT) information officer, said Gordon will be joined by Pasay City Mayor Wenceslao Trinidad, and officials of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Manila International Airport (MIA) and the Airport Security Group.

Some 4,000 students are expected to participate in cleaning the whole stretch of Old MIA Road where tourist usually pass upon arrival at the Ninoy Aquino international Airport (NAIA).

Citing some tourism-dependent countries like Spain, Thailand, and Singapore, Gordon said it would spell a big difference if there is unity among Filipinos.

The clean-up drive is part of the DOT’s campaign to instill in the minds of every Filipino that cleanliness of the country is everybody’s responsibility.

Gordon, former chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), said students should also take part in the cleanliness campaign.

In urging all Filipinos to keep their environment clean, Gordon stressed that cleanliness reflects self-respect.

"In keeping with the cleanliness habit, there is a change in attitude and in men," said Gordon.

Through this, he said, every Filipino can invite more and more tourists to the country.

In last week’s turnover ceremonies, outgoing Tourism Secretary Gemma Cruz-Araneta admitted that Philippine tourism went through the most turbulent period of its history during the past two years and seven months under her stewardship.

She said the industry suffered its biggest blow when Abu Sayyaf terrorists kidnapped 21 mostly European tourists from Sipadan Island in Malaysia and held them hostage in Jolo and Sulu for four months.

Araneta cited that Gordon earlier worked hard to make Subic the Asian cargo hub of Federal Express, a major cargo express company in the Philippines.

"I am sure that under your stewardship, the Philippines will become Asia’s new travel hub," she said. – Sandy Araneta