Clemente reacts to Avila's column

Dear Mr. Avila:

 This is in reaction to your column which appeared in the August 13 issue of the Philippine Star in which you mentioned me as one of the groups who didn’t like the proviso in the IRR and filed a legal case against DOT to declare IRR void being contrary to the Tourism Act.

As a backgrounder, the Federation of Tourism Industries of the Philippines, composed of major associations in the tourism industry namely, Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA), Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA), The Philippine Hotel Federation, Inc. (TPHFI), Hotel & Restaurant Association of the Phils. (HRAP), Hotel Sales & Marketing Association (HSMA), Philippine Association of Convention/Exhibition Organizers & Suppliers (PACEOS), Philippine Tourism Business Club (PTBC), Board of Airline Representatives (BAR), Women in Travel (WIT), Southern Tagalog Tourism Council (STTC), Association of Car Rental Companies, Inc. (ACRCI) was formed when then Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon wanted to see a united private sector and to have one single voice in the industry.

When the Tourism Bill was filed by Senator Richard Gordon and Congressman Ed Chatto, as Committee Chairmen, the Federation fought for four a half years for the passage of this landmark piece of legislation.

Therefore, when the Tourism Act was signed by PGMA, then Secretary Ace Durano came out with an IRR which changed an important provision of the Act from accredited tourism enterprise to “aggrupation” which is not what the Act expressly provides. When he convened the Tourism Congress in November 15, 2009 based on the IRR which was then being questioned, Rajah Travel Corporation, an accredited tourism enterprise was not allowed to participate in the Congress and was deprived of its right to be represented. By using the word “aggrupation” in the IRR, selection by invitation to the participants of the Congress became arbitrary. Hence, a petition for Writ of Mandamus was filed by Rajah Travel Corporation against then Secretary Ace Durano.

Even the House of Representatives found it necessary to investigate the Tourism Congress Board and determine its illegitimacy under House Resolution 857 filed by Cong. Rufus Rodriguez in May 11, 2011. They found merits to claims that the Tourism Congress was a sham. To quote Cong. Rodriguez during the hearing and addressing Sec. Lim: “You immediately issue the resolution (amending the IRRs) because this particular IRR (creating that Tourism Congress) violates the law and you are bound by your oath to be able to implement the law”.

Why didn’t former Sec. Durano follow the wordings of the law and had it changed, this we cannot understand.

As a one of the pioneers in the tourism industry, I would like to see a robust and dynamic Philippine tourism that can provide millions of jobs, foreign exchange receipts needed to pump prime the economy, and most importantly enhance our pride as a Filipino people.

Mr. Avila, I hope that when you write in your column, make it more factual. You can call me up any time or email me if there is anything you want clarified.

 Thank you.