Iloilo, Boracay included in tourism enterprise zone
Iloilo province and Boracay in Aklan are included in the country’s tourism enterprise zones following President Arroyo’s signing of Republic Act 9593 otherwise known as the National Tourism Policy Act of 2009.
The Act declares that tourism is an “indispensable element of the national economy and an industry of national interest and importance, which must be harnessed as an engine of socio-economic growth and cultural affirmation to generate investment, foreign exchange and employment, and to continue to mold an enhanced sense of national pride for all Filipinos”
According to the Malacanang press report the Act also establishes "tourism enterprise zones" in strategic areas, such as Cebu, Davao, Bohol, Laguna, Cavite, Boracay, Palawan and Iloilo, in the country to lure foreign investors and tourists to visit places rich with history and culture.
The tourism enterprise zones are expected to spur the creation of jobs and open additional channels for the infusion of much-needed investments in the country as well as enable the people to pull themselves out of the economic recession.
The tourism statute aims to promote the country as the premier tourist destination in Asia and to upgrade its level of international competitiveness through a system of accreditation, standards-setting and classification.
The new law empowers the Department of Tourism by strengthening its different agencies to more efficiently and effectively coordinate the functions and resources of government for tourism promotions and development programs, as well as eliminate overlapping of functions.
Under RA 9593, the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation (PCVC) will be reorganized as the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), a corporate body responsible for the marketing and promotion of the Philippines as a global tourism destination, highlighting its tourism products and services.
It will reorganize the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) to become the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), a corporate body mandated to designate, regulate and supervise tourism enterprise zones (TEZs) as well as develop, manage and supervise tourism projects in the country, the Malacanang press report disclosed.(PIA6/T.Villavert)