The position was established on May 11, 1973, when PresidentFerdinand Marcos created the Department of Tourism through Presidential Decree No. 189.[2] The current secretary is Christina Garcia Frasco, who assumed office on June 30, 2022.[3]
History
The position was created on May 11, 1973, through Presidential Decree No. 189, which established the Department of Tourism as a separate cabinet-level agency by splitting it from the former Department of Trade and Tourism.[2]Jose Aspiras was appointed as the first Secretary of Tourism, serving from 1973 until the People Power Revolution in 1986—the longest tenure of any tourism secretary at nearly 13 years.[4]
Following the adoption of the 1973 Philippine Constitution, which introduced a semi-parliamentary structure, the position was retitled Minister of Tourism.[4] This title remained in use until President Corazon Aquino issued Executive Order No. 120 on January 30, 1987, which provided that upon adoption of the new Constitution establishing a presidential system, "the Ministry shall be called Department of Tourism and the titles of Minister, Deputy Minister, and Assistant Minister shall be changed to Secretary, Undersecretary and Assistant Secretary, respectively."[5]
The Secretary's powers and responsibilities were substantially expanded and codified by Republic Act No. 9593, the Tourism Act of 2009, signed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on May 12, 2009.[6]
Appointment
The Secretary of Tourism derives constitutional authority from Article VII, Section 16 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which provides that "The President shall nominate and, with the consent of the Commission on Appointments, appoint the heads of the executive departments."[7]
The appointment process requires presidential nomination followed by confirmation by the Commission on Appointments, a constitutional body composed of senators and representatives. The nominee appears before the CA Committee on Tourism and Economic Development for deliberation before endorsement to the plenary for final confirmation.[8] Appointments made while Congress is in recess are designated "ad interim" and lapse if not confirmed before adjournment, requiring renomination.[8]
Cabinet secretaries are bound by Article VII, Section 13 of the Constitution, which prohibits them from holding other government offices or practicing any profession during their tenure.[7]
Powers and responsibilities
Under Section 6 of Republic Act No. 9593, the Secretary of Tourism exercises authority over tourism policy and regulation.[6] The Secretary's functions include:
Formulating and supervising tourism policies, plans, programs, and projects
Coordinating with government agencies to implement tourism programs
Communicating to the President the impact of proposed governmental actions upon tourism
Representing the Philippines in domestic and international conferences concerning tourism, including treaty negotiations
Formulating rules governing the operation of tourism enterprises
Establishing national standards for licensing and accreditation of tourism establishments
Monitoring travel conditions and issuing safety advisories
Supporting the protection of historical, cultural, and natural endowments[6]
Ex-officio positions
The Tourism Act of 2009 vests the Secretary with extensive ex-officio positions across government bodies:[6]
↑Secretary Frasco took a leave of absence from July 13 to 21, 2023, amid the "Love the Philippines" branding controversy, with Undersecretary Elaine Bathan serving as Officer in Charge.[10]
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