Declaration of Policy
- Tourism is deemed an instrument for national development.
- Encourages foreign visits to appreciate the Philippines.
- Promotes local awareness and pride in the country’s natural beauty, history, and culture.
Creation of the Department of Tourism
- A government department dedicated to tourism is established.
- It serves as the primary policy, planning, programming, coordinating, and administrative body for the tourism industry domestically and internationally.
Powers and Functions
- Administer and supervise all government tourism activities.
- Remove barriers to travel and ensure efficient enforcement of travel regulations.
- Develop integrated promotion and publicity programs.
- Represent the government in tourism-related international forums.
- License, regulate, and supervise all tourism-related businesses and services including travel agencies, accommodations, transport operators, training centers, etc.
- Set standards ensuring quality service, reasonable fees, honesty, and courtesy.
- Prescribe and enforce implementing rules and regulations.
- Conduct investigations, hearings, and provide administrative relief.
- Access records and premises of regulated entities; question employees and investigate matters.
- Impose administrative fines, suspend or revoke licenses, confiscate bonds, and remove officials for violations.
- Issue summons and subpoenas; punish contempt by fines.
- Enlist government agency support for enforcement.
- Perform additional functions as provided by law.
Organization of the Department
- Comprises the Department Proper and two bureaus: Bureau of Tourism Promotion and Bureau of Tourism Services.
- Department Proper includes the Secretary’s office and support services such as Planning, Financial and Management, Administrative, and Legal Services.
Authority and Responsibility
- Vested in the Secretary of Tourism, assisted by one Undersecretary.
Office of the Secretary
- Includes the Secretary, Undersecretary, and immediate personnel.
- Responsible for formulating and promulgating rules and circulars.
- Exercises direct control and supervision over departmental offices, services, and bureaus.
Functions of the Secretary
- Organize internal structure to fulfill department objectives.
- Advise the President on tourism-related executive orders and regulations.
- Establish policies and standards aligned with government programs.
- Promulgate necessary rules and supervise all departmental units.
- Delegate authority to officers and employees.
- Perform other lawful functions.
Functions of the Undersecretary of Tourism
- Assist in planning, supervision, coordination, and administration.
- Determine needs of bureaus and offices.
- Assist in policy formulation and implementation within responsibilities.
- Administer daily operations and coordinate policies efficiently.
- Supervise planning, development, promotion, and marketing activities.
- Perform other delegated functions.
Functions of the Bureau of Tourism Promotion
- Organize programs for public relations, advertising, promotion, and publicity.
- Aim to attract both domestic and foreign tourists.
- Perform other assigned functions.
Division Creation in the Bureau of Tourism Promotion
- Director may create necessary divisions and offices upon Secretary’s approval.
Functions of the Bureau of Tourism Services
- Provide information, reception, facilitation, security, and investigation services to tourists.
- License, regulate, classify, and inspect tourism-oriented establishments.
- Hear and resolve related administrative cases.
- Conduct training programs for tourism industry personnel.
- Perform other assigned functions.
Division Creation in the Bureau of Tourism Services
- Director may create necessary divisions and offices upon Secretary’s approval.
Functions of the Planning Service
- Develop economical and effective plans and programs for tourism development.
- Formulate immediate and long-range priorities.
- Perform other assigned functions.
Functions of the Financial and Management Service
- Provide advice on budgetary, financial, and management improvements.
- Perform other assigned functions.
Functions of the Administrative Service
- Manage personnel records, communications, supplies, equipment, finances, security, and related custodial work.
- Perform other assigned functions.
Functions of the Legal Service
- Provide legal advice and support to department officials and units.
- Perform other assigned functions.
Attached Agencies
- Civil Aeronautics Board, Philippines Tourism Authority, and Philippine Convention Bureau are attached for policy coordination and program integration.
- Each continues governed by their respective laws unless inconsistent with this decree.
Penalties for Violations
- License holders violating the decree or regulations face imprisonment (6 months to 2 years), fines (P2,000 to P10,000), or both.
- Revocation of licenses and forfeiture of bonds also applies.
- Non-license holders face imprisonment (1 to 6 years), fines (P4,000 to P20,000), or both.
- Corporate officers responsible for violations are liable; alien offenders also face deportation.
Separability Clause
- Invalidity of any provision does not affect other provisions.
Repealing Clause
- Repeals or modifies inconsistent provisions of prior laws, decrees, orders, or regulations including Presidential Decree No. 189 and its amendments.
Effectivity
- The decree takes immediate effect upon signing.