Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 710)
The main purpose of Republic Act No. 710 is to grant a charter to the Philippine Tourist and Travel Association, Inc. for the development and promotion of the Philippine tourist industry.
A body corporate and politic known as The Philippine Tourist and Travel Association, Inc. is created as a voluntary organization to assist the Republic of the Philippines in the development and promotion of the tourist industry.
The headquarters of the Philippine Tourist and Travel Association, Inc. shall be located in the national capital of the Philippines.
It has the power to sue and be sued; own and hold property; accept donations; adopt a seal and emblem; ordain by-laws and regulations; and generally do all acts necessary to carry out its purposes.
Its purposes include developing the tourist industry, promoting tourism, organizing services for tourists, encouraging national unity through travel, publishing information about the Philippines, representing the government in tourism matters, and undertaking transactions necessary for these objectives.
Membership is open to residents of the Philippines who contribute according to classifications and amounts fixed by the association's by-laws. Junior membership may also be authorized.
The Board of Supervisors consists of fifteen members: eight appointed by the President of the Philippines and seven elected by the members of the Corporation. Members serve for one year.
The President of the Philippines is the honorary President of the Association and appoints eight members to its Board of Supervisors.
The Association is financed through annual dues of its members, contributions from solicitation campaigns, bequests, donations, and a yearly government contribution matched by the Association.
The government appropriates seventy-five thousand pesos annually, with not less than seventy-five percent of this amount required to be spent on publicity, advertising, and public relations work abroad.
It must submit an annual report to the President and Congress detailing its activities, financial condition, sources of receipts, and purposes of disbursements.
It took effect upon its approval on June 6, 1952.