LILOAN, Cebu Mayor Christina Garcia-Frasco has accepted president-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s offer for her to become the next secretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT).
In a statement Tuesday, May 31, 2022, Frasco expressed “profound gratitude and deep humility...to serve the Filipino people as the next secretary of the Department of Tourism.”
READ: Christina Garcia-Frasco named tourism secretary; Tulfo DSWD chief
She said she had witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic and recent calamities in Cebu, where tourism is a major economic driver, and “the positive impact that effective tourism governance can have on the revival of the tourism industry.”
“Cognizant of the necessity and effectivity of strong support for and among local government units, consensus-building, coordination, and collaboration with tourism stakeholders and the private sector, infrastructure investment, sustainability and innovation, job generation and social protections for tourism workers, and focused strategies on the development of our core strengths, I am eager to support President-elect Marcos’ vision to revitalize tourism so it may significantly propel the Philippines’ post-pandemic economic growth,” she said.
She also thanked Vice President-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio for making her the spokesperson.
“I look forward to serving with her and the President-elect as they usher in a new era of unity, prosperity and hope for our country,” Frasco said.
She also expressed gratitude to her family and the people of Liloan, Cebu, where she has been reelected mayor, “for their unwavering support throughout my time as mayor.”
“I will carry with me their love and affection as I heed the call to serve our country in a larger capacity,” she added.
Jerome Brillantes, election supervisor of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Cebu Province, said Monday, May 30, that Frasco’s appointment as tourism secretary would take effect only after Marcos assumed office as President at noon of June 30.
“BBM can appoint the secretary only after his assumption of office because for now, he is not yet officially President,” Brillantes said.
He added that Frasco would also have to take her oath as Liloan mayor on June 30.
Her appointment after June 30 upon the assumption of office of President-elect Marcos would then create a vacancy “so the rule of succession will follow,” Brillantes said, allowing Vice Mayor-elect Aljew Frasco to succeed her as mayor of Liloan. (LMY/ANV)