President Marcos names Dita Angara-Mathay as Tourism chief

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Dita Angara-Mathay as the Secretary of the Department of Tourism.

A veteran official, she brings extensive experience in trade, investment, and international economic relations to the role.

Prior to this appointment, Angara-Mathay served as Commercial Counselor at the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Tokyo. In that capacity, she facilitated strategic partnerships with Japanese industries, a key source of investment, technology, and tourism for the Philippines.

This appointment underscores the administration’s strategy to position tourism as a primary driver of employment, business growth, and regional development.

Throughout her career, Angara-Mathay has spearheaded initiatives to translate global partnerships into local benefits, including support for industry strengthening and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Under her leadership, the administration aims to further integrate tourism with broader economic growth by attracting increased investment and ensuring that tourism gains are distributed across all regions.