MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco as the new Presidential Adviser for Sustainable and Resilient Communities. Following this transition, Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso has been named the officer in charge (OIC) of the Department of Tourism (DOT).
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed the move on Thursday, explaining that the President has tasked Frasco with strengthening national initiatives at the community level, particularly in areas facing climate-related hazards and economic disruptions.
- Frasco’s New Role: As Presidential Adviser, Frasco will leverage her experience with local governments—having served as the former mayor of Liloan, Cebu—to focus on sustainability and community resilience.
- DOT Leadership: Verna Buensuceso, a career official who has been with the DOT since 2013, will lead the department. Her extensive background includes serving as Assistant Secretary and Director for East Japan.
- Context of the Move: The Palace clarified that Frasco did not resign but transitioned to a different role. The change comes after months of speculation and criticism from lawmakers regarding alleged “self-promotion” in tourism materials and the commissioning of certain publications.
Frasco, the daughter of Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, previously served as the spokesperson for Vice President Sara Duterte and was a key figure in the “One Cebu” party’s support for the Marcos-Duterte campaign.