MANILA, Philippines – Christina Garcia-Frasco is no longer the country’s tourism chief, Malacañang Palace confirmed on Thursday, March 12.

She is now the “Presidential Adviser for Sustainable and Resilient Communities,” said the Palace in a statement to media.

“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,” Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said.

Frasco, a former mayor of Liloan town in Cebu province, has been tourism chief since the beginning of the Marcos administration. She has been criticized strongly, especially in recent months — from the department’s failure to hit its own targets to the prominence of Frasco’s face in the department’s social media presence and promotions.

The DOT will be headed, temporarily, by Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso. – Rappler.com