Chiz wants roads in tourist areas to be national roads

By Christina Mendez (The Philippine Star) Updated November 30, 2010 

MANILA, Philippines - In the aftermath of the fiasco over the new promotion slogan of the Department of Tourism (DOT) that President Aquino ordered cancelled, Sen. Francis Escudero pushed yesterday for more concrete measures to promote tourism in the country that includes the classification as national roads of all roads leading to tourist spots and seaports.

Escudero wants the secretaries of the Department of Public Works and Highways and the DOT to issue the necessary rules and circulars once his proposed Senate Bill 2611 passes muster.

Roads that are classified as national roads are maintained and supervised by the national government, particularly the DPWH.

Escudero said tourist spots refer to an area where there is an establishment or group of establishments that have been created with the purpose of attracting tourists duly accredited by the DOT pursuant to the Tourism Act of 2009.

“The state needs to significantly improve and develop tourism and economic activities in the country,” Escudero said in the explanatory note of SB 2611.

“Consequently, the government should focus on the improvement and appropriate maintenance of roads leading to major tourist and economic destinations. This is to facilitate access and thus, promote such activities for tourism and economic development,” Escudero said.