Frasco exits DoT, named as presidential adviser

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has reassigned Christina G. Frasco as a Presidential Adviser for Sustainable and Resilient Communities on Thursday after serving as the tourism secretary for over three years.

In a statement relayed by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro, the move to reassign Ms. Frasco to a climate-related post is due to the “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.

The statement added that Mr. Marcos expresses his appreciation for Ms. Frasco’s service as the Department of Tourism (DoT) chief and said he is confident that her experience working with local government units and communities will continue to support the Administration’s priorities.

Ms. Frasco was appointed as Tourism Secretary in 2022, following her term as the mayor of Liloan, Cebu.

During her post as Tourism Secretary, she faced several criticisms, including scrutiny on social media over promotional materials that featured her images.

Following the issue, a directive in February orders the removal of all her images across regional offices.

The DoT will be headed temporarily by Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso as the officer-in-charge. — Almira Louise S. Martinez