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By Moises Cruz
November 27, 2023 20
DEPARTMENT of Tourism (DoT) Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco urged local and foreign travelers on Friday, November 24, to reconsider their assumptions about Mindanao and to explore the island's halal food and rich culture for a multidimensional tourism experience.
This is in line with the DoT-hosted event on Tuesday at the Dusit Thani Manila in Makati, entitled "Bismillah: An Evening of Faith, Love, and the Flavors of Mindanao," which celebrated the region's vibrant cultural unity and gastronomic richness.
The undertaking builds on Secretary Frasco's campaign to completely reopen Mindanao to tourism, which she identified as a priority of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. when he took office last year.
Frasco said the DoT's efforts to establish confidence within the region and raise knowledge about the security situation will also assist in persuading other countries to update or lift existing travel restrictions.
Secretary Frasco spearheaded the signing of a DoT agreement with the Department of National Defense (DND) and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in May of this year to work together to market the region as a peaceful and sustainable destination for domestic and international tourism.
"Beyond partaking of the delectable halal meals, this evening of faith, love, and the flavors of Mindanao is the start of something new that is opening your eyes and your palate to the possibilities that are endless in the promise that is Mindanao," Frasco said in her speech.
"As our President has said, Mindanao is the land of promise to be fulfilled," she added.
The highlight of the event was the unveiling of Mindanao's intricate and diverse halal cuisine to an international audience, where ambassadors, dignitaries, and officials from various foreign embassies in the Philippines were present to experience the flavor-filled odyssey through the vibrant tastes of the Mindanao Islands' cuisine and an invitation to their countrymen to come and visit Mindanao.
"In the pursuit of reinforcing the country's image as a halal-friendly destination, the Department of Tourism has pursued various programs and projects started in the previous administration and continued under our President's administration," Frasco said.
Meanwhile, DoT Undersecretary Myra Paz Abubakar sincerely thanked everyone in attendance and emphasized the value of cultural appreciation and exchange in building a more harmonious global society.
