Stakeholders from travel and tours, hotel and resort operators, as well as airport and airline management, members of the diplomatic community, and government officials in Cebu expressed their 101 percent full support to Frasco during the Grand Tourism Night that the Department of Tourism-Central Visayas (DOT-Region 7) hosted Tuesday, June 21, at the Cebu Provincial Capitol here.

Frasco was reelected mayor of Liloan, Cebu but was chosen by President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to head the DOT.

Frasco’s mother, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, was one of those who committed to support the incoming DOT chief.

“Go boldly with the entire support of the entire Cebu tourism industry. As we celebrate Cebu tourism tonight, a deafening signal to the entire country that as you start with your new position with the entire country to look after, you have the full 101 support of Cebu, the entire island of Cebu, and all of our tourism stakeholders, count me in as your mom and governor of Cebu,” Garcia said.

Justin Uy, owner of JPark Island Resort and Waterpark in Lapu-Lapu City, assured that the private sector will be behind Frasco. “You have a very big task to lead us but you see, nothing is impossible. And we assure you, the private sector will be behind you 101 percent, especially JFI,” said Uy.

Hideki Yamaji, Consul General of Japan, also called on the stakeholders to rally behind Frasco. “We pledge that we all support Secretary Frasco’s efforts in promoting tourism. Let us work together under the leadership of Secretary Frasco,” said Yamaji.

Frasco said she will bring the Cebuano brand of leadership to the table.

“Isip usa ka Sugboanon, makalaum kamo nga dad-on nako isip secretary sa turismo ang kasingkasing ug kadasig sa usa ka Sugboanon nga moatubang sa bisan unsang hagit ug kalisod ug moingon, ‘Kumbati, mobarog ako, mopadayon ako kay ako usa ka Sugboanon’ (As a Cebuano, expect me to bring, as Tourism Secretary, the heart and strength of a Cebuano to face whatever difficulties and challenges and will say ‘Carry on, I will stand up and move forward because I am a Cebuano’),” Frasco said.

As DOT chief, Frasco plans to introduce to the whole country Cebu’s key tourism program, “Suroy-Suroy Sugbo,” a tourism initiative that Garcia introduced in her early term as Cebu governor.

Under the program, local and foreign tourists are brought to tourist attractions in across the province.

“Cebu has shown the benchmark for the effectivity of tourism governance, including Suroy-Suroy Sugbo. We will study it closely in the hopes of bringing attention to lesser-known tourist destinations in the Philippines,” Frasco said.