The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) have joined forces to roll out a new legal support initiative for the tourism sector, alongside a special privilege program that rewards the country’s lawyers with perks at accredited destinations.
Unveiled at the DOT Central Office in Makati City on October 21st, the partnership introduces two key programs: free legal aid for tourism enterprises and workers, and the DOT-IBP Privilege Card, which gives the IBP’s more than 40,000 members nationwide access to discounts and exclusive offers at DOT-accredited hotels, resorts, tour operators, and other leisure establishments.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, herself a lawyer and former three-term mayor of Liloan, Cebu, said the initiative aims to “protect and empower” the country’s tourism stakeholders, particularly the small businesses and frontliners who keep the sector running. “This collaboration ensures that those who serve as the backbone of our tourism industry receive the support they deserve,” Frasco said. “At the same time, it encourages our legal professionals to experience and promote our local destinations.”
Under the new legal aid scheme, qualified tourism businesses can access free consultations, training sessions, and legal representation through the IBP network. DOT-accredited enterprises will also gain added visibility and access to specialized legal aid sessions under the program. The DOT-IBP partnership was first announced at the 20th National Convention of Lawyers, attended by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., where both sides emphasized a “whole-of-nation” approach to developing the tourism industry.
“The success of the tourism industry is by no means solely a DOT effort – it requires everyone’s support,” Frasco said, adding that IBP’s involvement “will be positively received by our stakeholders nationwide.”
The program also complements DOT’s existing collaboration with the Office for Alternative Dispute Resolution under the Department of Justice, which has established mediation centers to help resolve tourist complaints more efficiently. Together, the new initiatives are intended to strengthen tourism resilience, protect workers’ rights, and promote responsible domestic travel, while offering members of the legal community a new way to engage with and support the industry.
