Crisanta Marlene P. Rodriguez has assumed her post as Department of Tourism Region VI head, a press release from the DOT said Wednesday, January 4.
The new regional director has more than 16 years of experience in development work in the Philippines, partnering and working with upland and coastal communities in developing sustainable livelihood and protecting the environment.
Prior to her DOT appointment, she was the director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Biodiversity Management Bureau from 2018 to 2019. She also served as Regional Executive Director of DENR IX where she received the JCI Philippines Western Mindanao’s Pinay Power Award 2020 for her “exemplary dedication to serve beyond the boundaries of her position” (JCI Yllana, 2020), the press release said.
Rodriguez was the regional director of DOT Region IX before her assignment to DOT Region VI.
“Our aim is to boost tourism revenues for Region VI, highlighting the heritage, culture, arts, and experiences in the provinces, towns and cities. One of my initial plans as the regional director is to solidify the partnership among the DOT, LGUs and stakeholders”, Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez also hopes to build up community-based tourism in the region to empower local communities, improve their skills and bring about a sense of ownership by local community members leading to development in their localities.
Tourism is an effective way of protecting the environment, when done correctly, she said.
Rodriguez has a strong background in environmental protection and is an advocate of women empowerment.
In 2016, she was a Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Professional Fellow on Sustainability in Maryland, USA. She participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) on Women’s Global Development and Prosperity in 2019, where she collaborated with fellow women’s rights advocates across the globe. She worked towards empowering women and the youth to become responsible users and stewards of natural resources and ecosystems. In the same year, she was hailed as one of the Outstanding Alumni of the University of the Philippines – Los Baños College of
Forestry and Natural Resources, the press release said.*