Dita Angara-Mathay Appointed as New DOT Secretary by President Marcos Jr.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Dita Angara-Mathay as the new Secretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT), marking a leadership change in one of the country’s key economic agencies. The appointment came after the former Tourism Secretary, Christina Frasco, was reassigned as Presidential Adviser for Sustainable and Resilient Communities.
According to the Presidential Communications Office, Mathay is a highly experienced public servant with many years of work in trade, investment promotion, and international economic relations. Her background is seen as valuable in strengthening the country’s efforts to connect tourism with broader economic goals.
“Her appointment reflects the administration’s push to position tourism not only as a cultural showcase, but as a strong driver of jobs, businesses, and regional development,” the PCO said.
PCO added: “Throughout her career, Angara-Mathay has led programs that link global partnerships to concrete outcomes on the ground, supporting enterprise development, strengthening industries, and expanding opportunities for Filipino businesses, especially MSMEs.”
The administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized that the appointment reflects a shift in how tourism is being positioned. Instead of focusing only on cultural promotion and travel, the government aims to develop tourism as a stronger driver of job creation, business growth, and regional development across the Philippines.
Officials noted that throughout her career, Mathay has led programs that have helped build partnerships with international stakeholders and translate these connections into real economic opportunities within the country. These efforts have supported business development, strengthened local industries, and expanded opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises.
“With her appointment, the administration aims to further align tourism with economic growth, attracting more investments, supporting local industries, and ensuring that the gains from tourism are felt across the regions,” PCO noted.