Malacañang confirmed that Christina Frasco is no longer the tourism secretary and has been appointed as presidential adviser for sustainable and resilient communities. Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso will temporarily lead the Department of Tourism. The reassignment aims to address climate-related hazards impacting local economies and livelihoods.
On March 12, 2026, Malacañang confirmed the removal of Christina Garcia-Frasco as head of the Department of Tourism (DOT) under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration. She has been appointed as presidential adviser for sustainable and resilient communities, according to a statement relayed by Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro.
"As many areas across the country face increasing climate-related hazards and disruptions that affect local economies and livelihoods, the President has tasked Secretary Frasco to take on this role to help strengthen the implementation and sustained follow-through of priority national initiatives at the community level," the statement said.
Frasco, a former mayor of Liloan in Cebu, has served as tourism chief since the start of the Marcos administration. During her tenure, the DOT achieved milestones such as introducing the Michelin Guide to the Philippines and hosting the Terra Madre Asia and the Pacific event. In 2025, the country recorded 6.4 million foreign tourists and returning overseas Filipinos, though the figure lagged behind regional peers like Thailand and Vietnam. The World Travel and Tourism Council reported that tourism contributed $91.8 billion to the Philippine economy and accounted for 23% of national employment.
However, the DOT under Frasco faced criticisms, including failure to meet targets, the prominent use of her image in promotional materials, and backlash over the 2023 'Love the Philippines' campaign launch. She ordered the removal of her photos from tourism ads following a Senate callout. Marcos expressed appreciation for Frasco's service and noted that her experience with local communities would support administration priorities. A group of Cebu officials, One Cebu Island, defended her leadership, describing criticisms as a 'coordinated demolition job.'
