PRESS RELEASE:
13 October 2022
LAPU-LAPU CITY, CEBU — The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and with the support from the Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu Inc. (HRRACI), conducted an Investment Roadshow at Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort on 12 October 2022. This regional roadshow series aims to inform tourism stakeholders of the incentives available under Republic Act No. 11534 or otherwise known as the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, present the investment opportunities offered by TIEZA, and introduce financial institutions that can offer loan assistance to investors with tourism-related projects.
TIEZA Chief Operating Officer Mark T. Lapid commenced the program through a video message by highlighting the Authority’s significant role in the recovery of the country’s tourism industry.
Meanwhile, Mr. Marlon Barrientos, Alternate Officer-in-Charge of the DOT – Region VII, presented the current tourism situationer of Central Visayas to give a glimpse of the state of the region as well as the potential investments that can hasten the region’s rebound from the impacts of the pandemic.
Atty. Karen Mae G. Sarinas-Baydo, TIEZA’s Assistant Chief Operating Officer for TEZ Management Sector, emphasized the Authority’s functions as the Investment Promotion Agency (IPA) of the tourism industry and presented the investment opportunities offered within its Flagship Tourism Enterprise Zones in Mt. Samat in Bataan, Panglao Bay in Bohol, Corregidor Island in Cavite, San Vicente in Palawan, and Clark TIEZA TEZ in Pampanga. Afterwards, TIEZA’s Manager for Evaluation and Registration Division, Mr. Donald Maldonado, outlined the process for application for registration of tourism-related projects/activities and the incentives that may be availed of by Registered Business Enterprises (RBEs) under the CREATE Act.
In the afternoon session, Ms. Maribeth Consuelo Ortuoste-Tajanlangit, Bank Executive Officer III of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), enumerated the eligible projects and loan features of their Connecting Rural-Urban Intermodal Systems Efficiently (CRUISE) Program to encourage increase in investments that can assist in the development of connectivity infrastructure to stimulate tourism visits across the country.
Small Business Corporation (SBCorp) – Visayas Group Head, Mr. Francisco R. Buenavides, introduced their DOT-supported Resilient, Innovative and Sustainable Enterprises, Unleash your Powers (RISE UP) – Turismo Program that aims to sustain the gains of tourism-related micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that have survived the past two years of pandemic.
One of the key supporters of this initiative, the Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu Inc. (HRRACI) through their President Mr. Alfred M. Reyes, shared the assistance program of HRRACI designed for the tourism stakeholders, particularly in the Province of Cebu. He also highlighted his appreciation for the efforts of TIEZA in meeting the tourism stakeholders to introduce their enhanced mandate as well in the development of infrastructure projects across the country. He stated, “We are happy with TIEZA, as they are very much pro-active in terms of development, promotion and supervision of tourism projects. TIEZA brings development to areas with high cultural and historical eco-tourism values helping shape a deep sense of awareness and pride. Through its continuing effort to provide excellence in public service, TIEZA has sustained the continual proofing of its systems and services through innovation.”
A one-on-one consultation was also conducted to address the specific queries of the attendees and assist them in registering with TIEZA.
DOT Assistant Secretary for Special Concerns, Atty. Kristine Vanessa T. Chiong, closed the program on behalf of DOT Secretary Atty. Ma. Esperanza Christina Garcia-Frasco through a video message. She emphasized the significance of shared responsibility not only in raising the standard of the Philippine Tourism but to contribute more towards the sustainable economic development of the country.
The event was attended by more than 60 participants composed of tourism enterprises owners and investors, representatives from tourism and business organizations among others.
The investment promotion roadshow in Cebu marked the first of the series of TIEZA’s regional roadshows around the country. This series is expected to bring in new wave of investors to collaborate with the government in promoting sustainable tourism development for the nation.
For more information about TIEZA investment roadshows, you may contact the TEZ Management Sector Secretariat at 8249-5900 local 724 or e-mail us at tez.secretariat@gmail.com and tez.secretariat@tieza.gov.ph. You may also visit our website at www.tieza.gov.ph and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TIEZAOfficial and www.facebook.com/tezmgmtsector, and on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/tezmgmt.