The collaboration between the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) aims to enhance educational opportunities in the tourism sector through a new Joint Administrative Order (JAO).
This initiative focuses on efficiently executing the laws related to the Higher Education Development Fund (HEDF), as stated by Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco during a ceremonial signing held at the National Museum of Natural History in Manila.
The appointed funds will support various projects, including:
- Construction or improvement of tourism facilities and laboratories.
- Funding for industry immersion programs for teachers and students.
- Support for digital innovations in tourism programs.
- Development of research projects to enhance tourism education.
In her speech, Secretary Frasco emphasized that this measure aims not just to promote tourism but to develop it actively. She expressed hope that the program enables young individuals to gain valuable skills vital for the workforce in the tourism industry.
Chairperson J. Prospero De Vera III praised the efforts for bringing together TIEZA and DOT, marking the significance of comprehensive collaboration between these institutions, which had not been successfully executed before this administration.
The commitment from each involved entity demonstrates a unified stance towards investing in the future of tourism education, which is seen as critical for the economic growth of the country.
