Top officials from the Department of Economic Planning and Development (DEPDev), the Department of Tourism (DOT), and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) convened on June 25 to institutionalize a stronger, data-driven approach to the country’s tourism planning and sustainable development.
The strategic meeting, held at the DEPDev Central Office in Mandaluyong City, was led by DEPDev Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan, DOT Secretary Dita Mathay, and PSA National Statistician and Civil Registrar General Dennis S. Mapa.
During the high-level discussions, the DOT sought the institutional support of both DEPDev and the PSA to elevate the country’s tourism data analytics. The collaboration aims to significantly improve policy formulation, promotional strategies, and national target-setting.
DOT Secretary Dita Mathay shared key updates on the department’s flagship “Discover More to Love” campaign, emphasizing that timely, reliable, and granular data is the bedrock of effective tourism planning.
“Robust statistics are essential in guiding our strategies and ensuring that our promotional campaigns translate into sustainable growth,” Secretary Mathay noted.
To support these objectives, the PSA presented vital updates on two critical statistical frameworks:
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The Philippine Tourism Satellite Account (PTSA): Measuring the economic contribution of tourism to the national economy.
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The Philippine Tourism Statistical Classification System (PTSCS): Ensuring that local tourism data remains comprehensive, modernized, and strictly aligned with global standards.
National Statistician Dennis S. Mapa reaffirmed the PSA’s commitment to refining these systems to reflect the evolving landscape of the tourism sector.
DEPDev Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan underscored that the trilateral collaboration among DEPDev, DOT, and the PSA is pivotal to the industry’s long-term competitiveness. By strengthening the national tourism statistical system, the government aims to foster data-driven planning that ensures the Philippine tourism industry remains both resilient and globally competitive.
The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to continuous inter-agency data sharing and technical collaboration.
Also in attendance to support the initiative were:
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PSA: Assistant Secretary Grace del Prado and Assistant National Statistician Mark Pascasio
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DOT: Dr. Twinkle Rodolfo
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Other technical representatives and senior officials from the participating agencies.
