MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has moved Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco out of the Department of Tourism (DOT), appointing her instead as Presidential Adviser for Sustainable and Resilient Communities in a reshuffle being frames as strengthening the implementation of national programs at the grassroots level.
Malacañang announced that Frasco will step down from her post as Tourism secretary — a position she has held since 2022 — to assume the newly designated advisory role focused on improving coordination and follow-through of priority government initiatives in local communities, particularly those vulnerable to climate-related risks.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the new assignment reflects the administration’s push to ensure national programs are effectively carried out at the local level amid growing environmental and economic challenges.
“As many areas across the country face increasing climate-related hazards and disruptions that affect local economies and livelihoods, the President has tasked Secretary Frasco to take on this role to help strengthen the implementation and sustained follow-through of priority national initiatives at the community level,” Castro said.
Frasco’s departure from the tourism department leaves the agency temporarily under the leadership of Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso, who will serve as officer-in-charge while Malacañang prepares to name a permanent replacement.
According to Castro, President Marcos expressed appreciation for Frasco’s work at the tourism department and voiced confidence that her experience working closely with local governments will help advance the administration’s priorities.
“The President expressed his appreciation for her service at the Department of Tourism and conveyed confidence that her experience working closely with local governments and communities will continue to support the Administration’s priorities,” she said.
Meanwhile, reports have surfaced that the President has tapped trade diplomat Dita Angara-Mathay as the next tourism secretary, although Malacañang has yet to make a formal announcement regarding the appointment.
Frasco has recently faced criticism over alleged excessive self-promotion during her tenure at the tourism department./PN
