Department of Tourism - Zamboanga Peninsula Office

The Department of Tourism Regional Office 9 is one in the celebration of Eid al-Adha with our Muslim brothers and sisters.

As this sacred occasion unfolds, we join them in honoring faith, sacrifice, and devotion. Eid Mubarak!

Today is the perfect day to slow down, reconnect, and make meaningful memories with the people who matter most. 💛

Take your family and friends out for a well-deserved food trip and enjoy exclusive treats from our partner establishments across Region IX!

The Department of Tourism Region IX, through its Tourism Industry Manpower Development Section, recently concluded a successful series of training sessions on the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE) at Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology.

The training primarily engaged Hospitality and Management students, equipping them with valuable knowledge, skills, and service values essential in delivering quality Filipino hospitality and world-class customer service. Faculty members also participated during the final day of the training, further reinforcing the institution’s commitment to service-oriented education and continuous professional development.

During the opening program, Regional Director Dara May L. Cataluña delivered her inspirational message, underscoring the vital role of future tourism and hospitality professionals in upholding excellence, professionalism, and the distinct warmth that define the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence.

This initiative reflects the Department’s continued commitment to strengthening the tourism workforce and developing future ambassadors of Filipino hospitality.

The Department extends its sincere appreciation to the administration, faculty, and students of ZSCMST for their active participation, enthusiasm, and unwavering support in advancing the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence.

𝟓𝟑 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞: 𝐃𝐎𝐓 𝐈𝐗 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦

The Department of Tourism Region IX proudly celebrated the 53rd Founding Anniversary of the Department of Tourism through meaningful environmental initiatives that promote sustainable tourism and community participation carrying the theme, “Tourism Goes Green: Coastal Clean-Up Drive, Tree Growing, and Mangrove Rehabilitation for Sustainable Tourism.”

The activity was made possible through the valuable partnership and support of the Local Government Unit of Zamboanga City, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region IX, Commission on Audit Region IX, CENRO, OCENR, Barangay Bolong, and Del La Vie Beach Resort.

Held in Barangay Bolong, the half-day activity featured tree planting, mangrove planting, and a coastal clean-up drive along the shores of Bolong. These efforts highlighted the importance of protecting natural resources while supporting tourism development in the region.

DOT IX Regional Director Dara May Cataluña emphasized the importance of collective action in protecting the region’s natural resources, stating that tourism thrives when communities and nature grow together. She expressed optimism in seeing the trees planted flourish in the coming years and how these will benefit the community. She further underscored that, as an institution, DOT IX not only celebrates its milestones but also strengthens its shared responsibility to preserve the beauty and sustainability of its destinations for generations to come.

As the Department of Tourism marks its 53rd year, this initiative reflects a continued commitment to ensuring that tourism development goes hand in hand with the protection of the environment and the communities that depend on it.

𝑴𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝑭𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒚: 𝑴𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑭𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒚

The Utos, Sundin, Palakpak (USP) Framework is a government initiative that translates presidential directives into clear, measurable, and visible actions on the ground. Under this framework, agencies align their initiatives with weekly themes that promote responsive governance and meaningful community engagement. As part of this implementation, USP features weekly themes. For the week of May 25–31, the theme is: “Giving People Back Their Time to be with Family (Move Freely).”

Anchored on this theme, the Department of Tourism Region IX launches the initiative “Making Time for Family”, aimed at encouraging families and friends to spend more meaningful time together through shared experiences in food and travel.

We are excited to partner with our accredited tourism enterprises across the region to bring you special treats and exclusive offers!

Here are the participating establishments ready to welcome you with great deals:

L'Mierda Cozina Restaurant – Isabela de Basilan
Chinito's – Zamboanga City
Isabelle's Cafe and Venue – Zamboanga City
Binoy's Restaurant – Dipolog Czity
Prince Lechon House – Zamboanga City
Island Tea Co & Ceylon Coffee Club – Dipolog City

Grab your family and friends, visit these establishments, and enjoy their exclusive offers and promos. Make time for family and friends!

𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗵𝗽𝟭𝟵-𝗠 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 📚🔎🇵🇭

Tourism continues to open opportunities for innovative and forward-looking Filipino youth.

This, as the Department of Tourism (DOT), Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) awarded a total of PHP19.25 million to 17 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, whose innovative tourism proposals emerged as national and regional winners of the Tourism Start-up Challenge.

A joint program of the three national government agencies, the Tourism Start-up Challenge is an annual nationwide competition among students enrolled in HEIs with innovative tourism-related projects that can compete for funding under the Higher Education Development Fund (HEDF).

Dedicated to fund student financial assistance, scholarships, research development, and institutional development, the HEDF is funded 40% from the annual share in the total gross collections of the travel tax as stipulated in Section 10 of Republic Act 7722 or the Higher Education Act of 1994.

𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁-𝘂𝗽𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗵𝗽𝟱-𝗠 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵

During the awarding ceremony on Tuesday (May 12) in Quezon City, the DOT, TIEZA, and CHED awarded Php 5 million grant each to three national winners for presenting tourism start-up concepts aligned with the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2023-2028.

Naga College Foundation, Inc. was recognized as the national winner for Luzon for its project “GoDare,” which develops a gamified travel application designed to promote sustainable tourism. Through partnerships with small and medium-sized enterprises and local government units, the project aims to support local businesses and provide travelers with unique and engaging experiences.

Meanwhile, Siquijor State College was hailed as the national winner for Visayas with its project “SiquiScan: Smart Destination Management System for Sustainable Tourism in the Island of Siquijor.” Their winning proposal is a QR-based mobile and web platform that provides real-time crowd monitoring, tourism information, emergency assistance, and AI-powered assistance for improved destination management.

Emerging as the national winner for Mindanao is Ateneo de Davao University. Their project “Kuyog: Find and Book Local Tour Guides” is a digital travel companion and booking platform that connects tourists with local guides to enhance travel convenience and strengthen community-based tourism.

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀

Prior to the national selection, 17 regional winners each received PHP 250,000 grants for being chosen as their respective region’s representative in the competition.

The 17 regional winners were:
Region 1 : PHINMA - University of Pangasinan
Region 2: Saint Mary’s University
Region 3: Aurora State College of University
Region IV-A: Lyceum of the Philippines University Cavite
Region IV-B: Occidental Mindoro State College
Region V: Naga College Foundation, Inc.
Region VI: Central Philippine University
Region VII: Cebu Normal University
Region VIII: Easter Samar States University - Guiuan Campus
Region IX: Ateneo de Zamboanga University
Region X: Bukidnon State University
Region XI: Ateneo de Davao University
Region XII: Santa Cruz Mission School Inc.
CARAGA: Agusan Del Sur State University
CAR: University of the Cordilleras
NCR: University of the Philippines Asian Institute of Tourism
NIR: Siquijor State College

Officially launched in September 2025, the program generated 156 submissions which were then subjected to provincial and regional vetting from January to February 2026.

Like waves that kiss the shore with grace,
You bring hope to every place.
With wisdom strong and kindness true,
Many are inspired because of you.

Happiest Birthday, Usec. Rica,
May your days be as beautiful as the lives you touch.

𝐃𝐎𝐓 𝐈𝐗 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐆𝐔𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬

The Department of Tourism Regional Office IX successfully conducted the Basic Tourism Statistics Training for representatives from Zamboanga City, Isabela City, and the Province of Sulu on May 5-6, 2026, at Tera Cotta Hotel. The two-day training aimed to strengthen the participants’ knowledge and skills in the collection, analysis, and reporting of tourism-related statistical data to support evidence-based planning and sustainable tourism development.

The activity gathered tourism officers, private stakeholders, and tourism frontliners from various local government units across the province of Sulu,Isabela City and Zamboanga City. Through interactive discussions and practical workshops, participants gained a deeper understanding of tourism statistics, visitor profiling, data management, and the importance of accurate reporting in enhancing tourism programs and policies.

Serving as the resource speaker was Ma. Faeroe Jeanne Fontanilla from the Office of Tourism Development Planning, Research, and Information Management (OTDPRIM-DOT), who shared valuable insights and expertise on tourism data systems and statistical methodologies via ZOOM. Her engaging presentations and guidance greatly contributed to the success of the training, empowering participants to improve their respective tourism data collection and reporting mechanisms.