After Secretary Durano promulgated the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the new Tourism Act on 10 November 2009, the Department of Tourism (DOT) has called for the Tourism Congress to be convened on 25 November 2009 at Marriott Hotel, Resort World, Paranaque, Metro Manila. This has raised concerns among tourism stakeholders that the various sub-sectors in the industry will not be properly represented in the founding session of this private sector consultative body upon such short notice. The Tourism Congress is expected to adopt and ratify its constitution, elect its officers, establish its secretariat and most importantly, nominate from among its members their representatives for the Philippine Tourism Promotions Board (PTPB), Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), Duty Free Philippines Corporation (DFPC) and the Tourism Coordinating Council. 

Under the new law, the Tourism Congress shall be comprised of representatives of all accredited tourism enterprises and former government officials involved in the tourism industry to serve as the private sector consultative body to assist the government in the development, implementation and coordination of Philippine tourism policy (R.A. 9593, Sec. 104). Given its critical role, the process for the selection of its members should be properly deliberated with the utmost transparency. Tourism stakeholders from various parts of the country should likewise be given equal opportunity to participate in the upcoming Congress. 

The Tourism Congress also provides a venue for stakeholders to review the IRR’s that were recently published by the DOT. Last 26-27 October 2009, the PCCI convened the National Tourism Dialogue where close to 300 delegates had resolved a detailed list of suggestions for consideration by the DOT in the drafting of the IRR. The recommendations included among others: 

• the need for an independent assessment mechanism prior to the accreditation of tourism enterprises 
• the need to define the characteristics and requirements of Tourism Enterprise Zones (TEZ); 
• the need to define the requirements of investors that can qualify for incentives under the new Act; 
• and the need to define the financing mechanism for the tourism promotions and destination marketing strategy. 

The list was handed over to the Department of Tourism officials in charge of drafting the Implementing Rules and Regulations at the conclusion of the conference with the commitment that the Technical Working Group would consider the suggestions. Some industry leaders are seeking a review of the IRRs, highlighting that certain provisions may lead to abuse. They are also saying that DOT need not rush the issuance of the IRRs and the conduct of the Tourism Congress. 

In order to make their voice heard, tourism stakeholders are now encouraged to participate in the Tourism Congress on 25 November 2009 at the Marriott Hotel in Newport City, Paranaque, Metro Manila. This is an opportune time to raise their concerns about the law and possibly urge the department to take a second look at the IRRs. Otherwise, the next opportunity for revisions would be in 2012 when a mandatory review of the law is schedule.