Frasco out as DOT chief, tapped for climate role

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has removed Christina Garcia Frasco from the helm of the Department of Tourism to reassign her as presidential adviser for sustainable and resilient communities, Malacañang said Thursday, March 12.

Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso will temporarily lead the tourism department, according to a statement relayed by Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro.

Frasco will transition from the tourism post, where she led programs aimed at supporting tourism enterprises and partnerships with local governments, to an advisory role for initiatives aimed at addressing climate-related risks.

"As many areas across the country face increasing climate-related hazards and disruptions that affect local economies and livelihoods, the President has tasked Secretary Frasco to take on this role to help strengthen the implementation and sustained follow-through of priority national initiatives at the community level," the statement said.

Marcos expressed appreciation for Frasco's service at the DOT and said her experience working with local communities would support the administration's priorities.

Issues, accomplishments

Frasco exits from her tourism post as the Philippines struggles to regain its footing as one of Southeast Asia's poorest tourism performers. The reassignment also followed several controversies involving the department during Frasco's tenure.

The DOT earlier faced criticism over tourism promotional materials that prominently featured Frasco's image, including a magazine cover. Some online users also circulated promotional materials showing the tourism chief, prompting calls for her resignation.

Frasco later ordered the removal of her photos from tourism promotional and marketing materials. The department said the cover, for one, was an editorial decision of the magazine.

In 2023, the DOT faced backlash over the launch of the "Love the Philippines" tourism campaign, which sparked criticism shortly after its unveiling.

Despite the controversies, the DOT reported several tourism milestones during Frasco's tenure.

In 2025, the Philippines recorded 6.4 million foreign tourists and returning overseas Filipinos, though the figure remained below arrivals recorded by regional peers such as Thailand and Vietnam.

Frasco had earlier cited the World Travel and Tourism Council report showing that tourism contributed $91.8 billion to the Philippine economy and accounted for 23% of national employment.

The agency also ushered in the Michelin Guide into the Philippines and the hosting of the Terra Madre Asia and the Pacific event.

Frasco, moreover, received support from a group of Cebu officials known as One Cebu Island, who earlier defended her leadership and described criticism against the tourism department as a "coordinated demolition job."