By Marinel E. Peroy
Making sustainability a mandate and not merely a preference, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said 100 eco-friendly tourist rest areas around the country are expected to be built by the end of the year.
At the second Philippine Sustainability Now Forum (PSNF) hosted by the Italian Chamber of Commerce Philippines (ICCPI) in Makati City recently, DOT Secretary Christina Frasco said these eco-friendly tourist rest areas are equipped with solar-powered roofs, rainwater harvesting systems, clean restrooms, charging stations, and souvenir centers.
“Having started with 10 tourist rest areas in 2023, [then] 32 by 2024, we’re now on the road to 100 tourist rest areas across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao,” the tourism secretary said.
Frasco also noted that the new law, the CREATE MORE Act, offers incentives for green tourism investments.
The CREATE MORE Act, officially known as the “Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy Act” of 2024 (Republic Act 12066), is a landmark tax reform law that builds upon and amends the earlier CREATE Act (RA 11534, enacted in 2021).
Aiming to further modernize the country’s tax system, enhance the investment climate, and spur economic growth, the law simplifies tax compliance, clarifies VAT rules, and provides more generous and predictable incentives-addressing key concerns of both local and foreign investors.
The law is expected to make the Philippine tourism sector more competitive by:
- Lowering the cost of doing business for tourism enterprises
- Encouraging reinvestment in tourism infrastructure and services
- Attracting new investments, both local and foreign
- Supporting recovery and expansion after pandemic-related downturns
- Generating more jobs and higher incomes within the sector
Frasco also shared that the Philippine Pavilion at the ongoing (until October) Osaka Expo 2025 showcases the country’s sustainable tourism practice that integrate innovation into community and culture.
The pavilion features over 1,000 rattan panels and 200 textiles woven by local communities, reflecting the country’s rich cultural heritage and the use of organic and reusable materials.
Frasco said that ICCPI’s forum is both a venue for dialogue and a call to action.
“We affirm and reaffirm our shared commitment to advancing [a tourism] industry that is sustainable, inclusive, and resilient,” she said.
She said that the success of tourism is shaped not only by the government’s work, but through comprehensive efforts of the private and public sectors.
Corporate sustainability
The Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) approach was a key focus in one of the sessions.
CRIF Philippines’ ESG Certification Expert Charstyn Tunay presented Synesgy, or Synergy + ESG, a global digital platform that empowers businesses to create sustainable practices.
Trusted by over 500,000 companies worldwide, Tunay said, Synesgy helps businesses enhance their reputation, attract investments, and secure customer loyalty. She said it helps in supplier selection and regulations; green financing; supply chain assessment; and competitive advantages in the market.
Tunay said Synesgy empowers through a “fundamental way of doing business,” offering practical improvement suggestions, and ensuring transparency and accountability with leveraged data and technology.
Overall, the forum highlighted “compliance, innovation, and inclusive growth,” embedded in business to accelerate the country’s transition toward sustainable practices.
The 2nd PSNF gold sponsors were: DATEM Inc., Araneta City, Dusit Thani Manila, Security Bank, Stratbase, and DMI Philippines MX3. Support sponsors were iONTEK, ECC International, HMR, and Italpinas Development Corporation. Booth sponsor included Eastern Communications, Asia Food Expo PH, Filinvest/Brentville International Community, and Blu Coffee Distributors.
The PSNF was also organized with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Philippine Energy Efficiency Alliance (PE2), the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines (SEIPI), and CRIF Asia.
