By Jerome Aning
The Philippine Daily Inquirer
Due to higher operational costs, the Department of Tourism's transfer to Cebu City is on hold for now, according to Secretary Joseph Ace Durano.
"We think the transfer could affect our operating costs, especially the financial aspect, because we'll be far from important financial agencies," Durano told reporters in a recent interview.
The DOT, he explained, needed to be in constant coordination with funding agencies such as the Department of Budget and Management and the Development Bank of the Philippines so that it could embark on promotional projects.
He said other reasons for the delay are the ongoing rationalization of the civil service and the government's moves to have a balanced budget.
The transfer of the DOT to Cebu was earlier announced by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in line with her policies of decentralization, decongestion of Metro Manila, and the speeding up of regional development.
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