Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco relayed her gratitude to the local government of Zamboanga City led by Mayor John Dalipe for warmly accommodating the delegates of the Philippine Experience Program (PEP) Zamboanga Peninsula leg.
The PEP is a flagship program of the Marcos Administration through the DOT aimed at heralding the country’s rich heritage, arts, and culture through a series of caravans across the regions.
“My heartfelt gratitude goes first to our host, Zamboanga City, led by your very dynamic and hardworking mayor, John M. Dalipe and his very supportive local government unit of Zamboanga City, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, led by Vice Mayor Josephine Pareja, and of course, the City councilors of Zamboanga,” the tourism chief said in her speech during the reception dinner at the grounds of the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) Zamboanga on Friday (Feb. 27).
With Mayor Dalipe manifesting his support to the entire DOT during his speech, Secretary Frasco replied: “Mayor, you can rest assured of our continued support from the Department of Tourism. Daghan kaayong salamat kanimo sa atong mga officials, sa local government unit, and to all our delegates, I sincerely hope that this experience, as an eye opener to the Zamboanga Peninsula and as an immersion to Zamboanga City, will be one that is filled with a truly unforgettable Philippine experience.”
This is the second time that Secretary Frasco visited Zamboanga City. The first was last year when the city ahosted the signing of formal agreement among the DOT, the Department of of National Defense (DND) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), to usher tourism development in Mindanao and ensure that the region remains a peaceful and viable destination for tourism.
“For me, what Zamboanga City represents is the identity of the Filipino, one that has had its fair share of trials, difficulties, and challenges but has prevailed with dignity, with courage, with pride, and most importantly, with love,” Secretary Frasco said.
“And so, my message this evening is one of gratitude. Daghang kaayong salamat. Muchas gracias, Ciudad de Zamboanga. For the love and the warmth with which I and our delegation this evening have been welcomed from the start until tonight. We have felt nothing less than love,” the tourism chief added.
