Cebu tourism players express high hopes for new DOT chief
The Cebu tourism sector has expressed high hopes on the appointment of Department of Agriculture undersecretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat as the new tourism chief following the resignation of Wanda Teo.
"The new chief has good credentials. Being the daughter of former DFA secretary Alberto Romulo, I hope she will not tarnish her ancestry," said Patria Aurora "Dawnie" Roa, a former DOT-7 regional director, and consultant to Cebu Provincial Tourism office.
The Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association (HRRAC) also expressed hopes that the new tourism secretary will work closely with the stakeholders.
HRRAC president Carlo Suarez said the industry is looking forward for the new secretary to reach out and coordinate with the stakeholders and they also want to hear out her plans.
Her good background in the Department of Agriculture is a good thing for the Philippines' promotion in developing the farm tourism, Suarez added.
Tourism advocate Robert Lim Joseph likewise expressed his favorable response on the secretary saying "We see positive expectations."
Like Suarez, Joseph also expects Puyat to immediately feel the industry's pulse by coordinating closely with the people who are on the ground — stakeholders.
Amid the warm and positive welcome for the young tourism chief, tourism capitalist Jay Aldeguer hopes that Puyat will first put Boracay's issue first on her table.
"On top of the agenda should be Boracay. We cannot afford to keep our highest profile island closed for a long time," said Aldeguer.
Also, the perennial problem on infrastructure should be given extra attention and hopes that DOT will reinforce the build build build program of the administration.
According to Aldeguer, the travel industry worldwide is thriving but is highly competitive and very volatile.
"We hope the new leadership understands the dynamics of the industry and get our country back on track to becoming a formidable destination in the region," underscored Aldeguer.
President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Romulo Puyat Tuesday evening hours after former DOT secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo tendered her resignation.
Romulo-Puyat is a daughter of former Senator and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo.
She is also the grandniece of Carlos P. Romulo, the first Asian president of the United Nations General Assembly and the great-granddaughter of Pio Valenzuela, the man whom Valenzuela City is named after.
Romulo-Puyat is the sister-in-law of Shalani Soledad-Romulo, and widow of the late lawyer David Puyat.
She has an undergraduate and master's degree in economics from the University of the Philippines.
She has been serving under the agriculture department since the administration of former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.