President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. wants to extend tourism development nationwide, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Frasco said Tuesday during her visit to Cabadbaran City’s view Deck in Barangay Puting Bato.

“The President wants to create ample livelihood and employment opportunities for Filipinos within the tourism industry,” Frasco said at the DOT Philippine Experience Program (PEP) Caraga leg.

The latest PEP stop was launched Monday, aimed at elevating lesser-known destinations to the global market.

The program, which runs Oct. 28 to 30, includes Butuan, Cabadbaran, Bayugan and Prosperidad.

“Through PEP, business-to-business meetings foster commercial tourism packages for global promotion,” Frasco added, emphasizing equalized tourism growth across all regions.

The program highlighted Cabadbaran’s heritage sites, including ancestral homes.

In Butuan, cultural artifacts and the Balangay boat, indicators of ancient trade ties, were showcased.

Bayugan promoted local crafts like abaca weaving and bead-making, while Prosperidad introduced the Bega Falls Eco-Tourism Park.

Frasco also noted the tourism sector’s positive impact on Caraga’s poverty reduction, with the Philippine Statistics Authority and National Economic and Development Authority reporting a 14.9 percent poverty incidence in 2023, down from 25.9 percent in 2021. (PNA)