Question & AnswerQ&A (DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM)
The Secretary of Tourism is mandated to convene the Tourism Congress composed of representatives of accredited tourism enterprises, including former Secretaries of Tourism who are no longer in government service and have complied with the Tourism Congress requirements.
Former government officials eligible are former Secretaries of Tourism who are no longer in government service and have complied with the requirements of the Tourism Congress.
For these sectors, the permit, license, or franchise issued by the relevant national government regulatory agency shall be recognized as their accreditation.
The Tourism Congress must elect at least a President, Secretary, Treasurer, and as many officers to equally represent accommodation, transportation, travel and tours, MICE, tourism estate development, and other tourism enterprise sectors from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Only high-ranking officials of tourism enterprises accredited by the Department of Tourism or other government regulatory bodies are eligible to be elected as officers.
The Tourism Congress must adopt and ratify its Constitution and By-laws, ensuring consistency with the implementing rules and regulations.
The Tourism Congress shall nominate three candidates from among its members from each of these sectors: accommodation enterprises, travel and tour services, land, air and sea tourist transport services, MICE services and suppliers, and other accredited tourism enterprises, with equal geographic representation from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Candidates must be Filipino citizens, have recognized competence in relevant fields such as business management and tourism, represent an accredited tourism enterprise as of the date of selection, be a high-ranking official of their enterprise, and be duly authorized by the governing Board of their company.
The Tourism Congress shall designate its representative to the Tourism Coordinating Council from among its members who is a high-ranking official of an accredited or registered tourism enterprise.
The Tourism Congress serves as the private sector consultative body to assist the government in the development, implementation, and coordination of tourism policies, plans, and programs.
Within 30 days from the election of officers, the Tourism Congress must transmit the nominations through a Board Resolution to the Secretary of Tourism for endorsement to the President, certifying that the nominees meet the qualifications prescribed by the implementing rules.
Yes, the amendment takes effect immediately upon publication and the Tourism Congress created under the 2009 IRR is superseded by the Tourism Congress convened under this amended Section 137.