THE DEPARTMENT of Tourism (DoT) is looking at transforming Region 4-B or the Mimaropa Region 9 Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan) into a world-class tourist attraction through adding more airline flights and water routes in the area. “The private entities, including flag-carrier Philippine Airlines and four other airlines and five shipping companies, pledged to comply immediately with accreditation requirements. Transport services are considered ‘primary tourism establishments’ that need accreditation, pursuant to Republic Act 9593 or Tourism Act of 2009,” DoT said in a statement on Saturday, which cited a recent meeting with, among others, AirAsia Inc., Air Juan Aviation Inc (Air Juan), AirSWIFT Transport Inc., Magnum Air Inc. (Skyjet), 2Go Group Inc., Montenegro Shipping Lines Inc., Navios Shipping Lines Inc., Starhorse Shipping Lines Inc., and Starlite Ferries Inc. For his part, DoT Mimaropa Director Danilo B. Intong said, “We are elated as we share the renewed optimism over the continued growth of (the) tourism industry, which proves to be a key economic driver that can help uplift the lives of the poor in the countryside.”
