DPWH-DOT conducts convergence workshop

Pagadian City, 27, April (PIA) -- National government agencies are teaming up in the preparation of plans and programs that will further boost promotion of tourism in the Philippines. Regional offices of the Department Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) in Western Mindanao Region (Region 9) recently conducted a convergence workshop with the goal of coming up with an integrated plans and program in support of the government’s tourism infrastructure development program as mandated by Republic Act 9593 or the Tourism Act of 2009. The 1st tourism convergence workshop was attended by the District Engineers and Chiefs of the Planning and Design Section of the nine (9) district engineering offices comprising DPWH Region 9 while Regional Director Mary June Bugante led the participants from DOT. The workshop will enable the technical working group of the two (2) respective agencies come up with a Multi-Year Program and forward estimates of prioritized tourism road project and Annual Tourism Road Infrastructure Program (ATRIP). At the workshop, DPWH Region 9 Assistant Director Nenita  Robles reiterated the pronouncement of Secretary Rogelio  Singson for the DPWH and DOT to established a close partnership in the identification, evaluation, prioritization, and implementation of tourism infrastructure in priority tourist destination areas in the Philippines in support of the goals and targets of the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) and inclusive growth vision under the Philippine Development Plan (PDP). In prioritizing tourism road project, four (4) criteria were identified and to be considered as follows; road network importance, tourism importance, project readiness, and other economic and social development impacts. (DPWH-9/CAL/PIA-9)