DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco welcomed the initiative during the courtesy visit of the Liga ng mga Barangay to the DOT Central Office in Makati City, underscoring the critical role of barangays in revealing untapped cultural, natural, and historical attractions.
National Liga ng mga Barangay President Maria Katrina Jessica Dy said the project aims to feature village-level tourist destinations on the Liga’s official website, increasing national exposure and driving grassroots economic development.
Frasco, a former mayor, stressed the importance of integrating barangays into national tourism plans to diversify the country’s offerings beyond established destinations.
“Barangays hold many hidden assets that can enrich the tourism landscape, which we want to bring to light,” she said.
As part of the digital push, the DOT also launched the upgraded Travel Philippines mobile app, a collaboration with the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), featuring Japanese translation, geo-targeting, user reviews, DOT-accredited tour guides, local government unit directories, and travel deals.
DOT officials said the barangay mapping initiative aligns with the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2023–2028, which focuses on digital innovation and inclusive growth, particularly in underserved areas.
The department emphasized that providing barangays with a digital platform will aid tourism dispersal and empower local communities to sustain industry growth.
Also present at the meeting were Liga Deputy Executive Director Danielle Nuesa, DOT Assistant Secretary Sharlene Zabala-Batin, and other key officials.