President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has named Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco as his Presidential Adviser for Sustainable and Resilient Communities, a new post that effectively removes her from the department she has led amid recurring public controversy.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed the appointment and dismissed reports that Frasco had submitted a resignation, clarifying that the transition was the President’s decision rather than a departure.
Tourism Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso takes over as officer in charge of the department while a permanent successor is determined.
Castro said Frasco’s background in coordinating with local government units factored into her selection for the advisory position. “The President expressed his appreciation for her service at the Department of Tourism and conveyed confidence that her experience working closely with local governments and communities will continue to support the Administration’s priorities,” she said.
In her new role, Frasco is tasked with reinforcing the implementation of priority national programs at the community level, with a particular focus on sustainable and resilient development — an area of growing urgency as climate-related hazards continue to strain local economies across the country.
Frasco’s tenure at the DOT drew sustained criticism, most notably over the scrapped “Love the Philippines” campaign in 2023. More recently, the department faced public backlash for promotional materials that centered on Frasco’s image rather than the country’s destinations. Officials consistently defended the approach, citing internal figures to argue that the department’s strategy was delivering results.
