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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider Frasco leads DOT PEP Cordillera leg

Frasco leads DOT PEP Cordillera leg

Published Oct 23, 2025 10:28 pm
FRASCO (DOT FB)
FRASCO (DOT FB)
BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Tourism led by Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco opened the Cordillera leg of the Philippine Experience Program (PEP): Culture, Heritage, and Arts Caravan here on Friday.
With Frasco were ambassadors, tourism associations, tour operators, media representatives, and partner agencies on a three-day cultural immersion across the highlands of Northern Luzon.
PEP is one of the DOT’s flagship initiatives celebrating the Filipino brand through authentic, community-based tourism.
Aligned with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the program seeks to equalize tourism opportunities and promotion across all destinations, both established and emerging.
The PEP features diverse facets of each region, including new destinations, tourism product offerings, tour itineraries, and themed circuits in collaboration with local government units, the private sector, and community partners to ensure the continued development of inclusive and sustainable tourism.
The Cordillera edition celebrates the region’s vibrant culture and enduring creativity, bringing delegates from Baguio City to the mountain towns of Atok and Itogon in Benguet, and Bauko in Mountain Province.
Its highlight is the Cordillera Festival of Festivals — a grand showcase of the region’s signature celebrations and cultural identity.
On the sidelines of the opening ceremony, Frasco met Baguio’s tourism workers to personally hand over curated Tour Guide Kits to 20 DOT-accredited tour guides and four Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE) trainers.
Each eco-friendly kit included essentials such as a portable lapel microphone, bamboo sunglasses, sunscreen, tumbler, and journal, carefully selected tools to help guides deliver even more engaging and professional tourism experiences.
The Tourism chief also handed out accident insurance worth P50,000 from her own resources.
“We are humbled and we are very grateful to receive such a special gift. And I believe that we are going to use this while doing or assisting or guiding our guests to the highest possible professionalism standard in the tourism and tour guiding industry. For the love of our profession, love of our region, and of course, love for the Philippines,” said Tessie Grail Lomas-e on behalf of her fellow tour guides in Cordillera.
Frasco and PEP delegates visited the Totem Pole at Camp John Hay, one of Baguio City’s enduring landmarks.
The towering wood sculpture, carved by Cordilleran artist Ernesto Dul-ang, depicts stacked head forms of historical figures who played vital roles in Baguio’s early development and Philippine-American history.
Organized by DOT-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) in collaboration with the local governments of Baguio City, Benguet, and Mountain Province, the PEP Cordillera leg was made possible through the partnership of regional tourism councils, creative guilds, and community stakeholders.

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DOT PEP Cordillera Secretary Christina Frasco
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