THE DEPARTMENT of Tourism’s Philippine Experience Program made its final stop in Mindanao with a memorable journey into the various established and emerging tourism sites across SOCCSKSARGEN last June 5 to 7.
PEP was successfully launched in Davao Region in June 2023 and has since traveled to various regions around the country, including Bicol, CALABARZON, Western Visayas, Ilocos, Zamboanga, Northern Mindanao, and now, SOX.
The three-day roadshow took the 149 participants to different attractions in Gen Santos City (Tuna Fish Port, Pacquiao Mansion, Plaza Heneral Santos), South Cotabato (Lake Sebu, Koronadal City Hall), Cotabato (Sitio Maupot, Museyo Kutawato), Sultan Kudarat (Bansada Eco Park, Provincial Capitol), and Sarangani (Pacquiao Beach House, CTT Malungo).
Participating PEP SOX guests comprise members of the diplomatic corps, tour operators, government officials, content creators, and media from different parts of the Philippines.
“PEP is a heritage, culture, and arts caravan that seeks to bring attention to the emerging and lesser known parts of our country and to reveal, in the process, the heart and soul of the Filipino people,” said DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, who led the PEP in SOX.
She also mentioned in her speech during a stop in Sultan Kudarat that she” is back to fulfill a promise and show her commitment to help promote tourism in Mindanao and ensure that visitors will have a fun, unforgettable, and safe stay in the region.”
The program also aims to facilitate cultural tourism circuit development and provide a genuine experience of Filipino food and gastronomy, festivals and traditions, pilgrimage and wellness, living cultures, heritage and the arts.
