Department of Tourism (DoT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat has identified Laguna as a key player in the local tourism and hospitality industry even as the country continues to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Laguna’s tourism sector will play an important role in the growth of the Philippines’ tourism industry. Let us do our part to make tourism a cornerstone of the economy, a creator of jobs and livelihoods, and a source of national pride,” the Tourism chief said.

Puyat led an industry stakeholders’ meeting with provincial officials Tuesday in San Pablo town. During the meeting, the DoT vowed to continuously promote Laguna as a fun, safe, and sustainable tourist destination with the help of the local government units (LGUs) and the private sector.

“This flagship domestic tourism program aims to spur the recovery and transition of the Laguna Tourism Cluster into the new normal. Upon its launch in April, it will include the city of San Pablo and the municipalities of Liliw, Rizal and Nagcarlan,” she said.

She said that DoT--through the efforts of its regional office--continues to conduct on-site inspections of accommodation establishments (AEs) to ensure strict compliance with the agency’s health and safety guidelines. As of January 28, some 1,489 AEs were given the green light to operate in the region, 871 of which are in Laguna.

Meanwhile, the DoT Region 4A has also endorsed one tourism infrastructure project in Liliw for the construction of Tourism Assistance Center and Green Restroom, and four in San Pablo including Doña Leonila Park Improvement and Rehabilitation; Sampaloc Lake Wharf and Floating Stage; Sampaloc Lake lamp posts and trash bins, and city heritage zone and historical sites.

The said project is under the D.R.E.A.M.S. (Destination, Restoration, Eco-sustainability, Agri-tourism, Medical Assistance, and Security and Accessibility) thrust of its attached agency, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority.