President Bongbong Marcos appointed Dita Angara-Mathay as the new Secretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT) on April 10, 2026, signaling a strategic shift in the nation’s tourism agenda. Angara-Mathay, a seasoned expert in trade and international relations, brings decades of experience to the role. Prior to this, she served as the Commercial Counselor at the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Tokyo, where she led partnerships with Japanese industries—key to the Philippines’ investment, technology, and tourism sectors.
Her appointment marks the administration’s focus on making tourism more than just a cultural showcase. With Angara-Mathay at the helm, the goal is clear: use tourism to drive jobs, business growth, and regional development across the country. In her previous role, she helped connect Filipino businesses, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), to global opportunities, expanding their reach on the international stage.
The administration is betting on tourism to be a catalyst for economic growth. As Secretary, Angara-Mathay’s mission is to align tourism with broader economic objectives—attracting investment, supporting local industries, and ensuring the benefits reach every region of the Philippines. This vision is more than just a policy shift; it’s about transforming tourism into a powerful tool for national progress.
Angara-Mathay’s leadership in trade partnerships and her track record in supporting enterprise development will play a crucial role in realizing this vision. If successful, tourism will no longer just be about the sights and experiences it offers, but a driving force behind economic stability and growth. The stakes are high, and the hope is that her efforts will generate real, lasting impact on communities across the country.
