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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 15 senior citizens accredited as Intramuros tour guides under DOT program

15 senior citizens accredited as Intramuros tour guides under DOT program

Published Mar 2, 2026 01:30 pm

At A Glance

  • 15 senior citizens accredited as tour guides in Intramuros under a DOT program.
  • Program conducted with the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) and includes interviews and week-long training with lectures and mock tours.
  • Four of the guides are former overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
  • DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco provided essential kits and insurance coverage.
  • Nearly 5,000 tour guides accredited nationwide; over 12,000 trained under the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE).
Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco with newly accredited senior citizen tour guides in Intramuros, Manila on February 25, 2026. (DOT Christina Garcia-Frasco Facebook post)
Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco with newly accredited senior citizen tour guides in Intramuros, Manila on February 25, 2026. (DOT Christina Garcia-Frasco Facebook post)
Retirement is no longer the final chapter for 15 senior citizens who are now accredited as tour guides in Intramuros under a Department of Tourism (DOT) livelihood program that lets them share history and culture with visitors.
Implemented with the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), the Tourism Legacy and Livelihood Program trains seniors through interviews and a week-long course to join community-based tourism.
As of Feb. 23, the 15 accredited guides include four former overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who have found renewed purpose guiding visitors through the historic walled city.
Among them is 68-year-old Edgardo Satira, known as “Tatay Ed,” a retired broadcaster with four decades of experience who now captivates travelers with his storytelling.
“This program from the NCSC and DOT has restored my integrity and dignity as a senior citizen, proving that I am still skilled,” Satira said.
Tour guiding has also become a reliable source of income for him.
“This work as an accredited tour guide has been a huge help for my livelihood. I earn, and even receive extra support,” he said, noting that tips from satisfied tourists provide both financial support and affirmation of his work.
DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco met the newly accredited guides on Feb. 25 to hear their experiences and gather feedback for improving the training program.
She also distributed essential kits including portable microphones, sunblock, hats, journals, tumblers, sunglasses, and accident insurance coverage.
From 2023 to February 2026, the DOT has distributed these kits to nearly 1,300 tour guides nationwide, with half receiving insurance as a personal gift from the Secretary.
Before accreditation, participants completed a seven-day community tour guiding seminar from Sept. 24 to Oct. 3, 2025, conducted with the Intramuros Administration.
The program combined lectures and site-based exercises to sharpen historical knowledge, followed by mock tours to practice delivery and storytelling in real-life settings.
To professionalize tour guiding nationwide, the DOT has established clear accreditation standards, with 4,994 guides accredited as of February 2026, excluding specialist guides.
Central to its capacity-building efforts is the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE), a flagship training program that elevates service standards based on the globally recognized Filipino brand of hospitality.
Under FBSE, workers from hotels, travel agencies, tour guides, restaurants, theme parks, souvenir shops, transport services, and government frontline agencies receive training.
From 2022 to January 2026, a total of 412,640 individuals completed FBSE training nationwide, including 12,786 tour guides.
Frasco emphasized the importance of tour guides in shaping visitor experiences and strengthening global competitiveness.
“By prioritizing the professional development of our tour guides, we ensure that every visitor encounter reflects the quality, warmth, and excellence of Filipino hospitality, which drives tourism growth and creates sustainable livelihoods,” she said.
“Every story our tour guides tell gives the country a voice. Every visitor they welcome gives it heart. And every site they care for keeps its soul alive,” she added.

Related Tags

DOT Intramuros senior citizens tour guides tourism program
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