[As Prepared]

[Greetings]

Thank you for inviting me to today’s meeting. I am glad to have the chance to meet you all, our partners from the private sector. Earlier today, I joined the Seaweed Industry Summit and told everyone that I look forward to seeing and experiencing the natural beauty of Palawan. Puerto Princesa City is clearly flourishing as a nature-based tourism destination and as a gateway to the region.

I am pleased that USAID, through the Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity or SURGE Project, has played a part in putting together and enhancing your Tourism Development Plan. I am optimistic that with everyone’s collaboration, the city and the business community will be able to exponentially grow its tourism sector, not only here in Puerto Princesa City but also in the surrounding areas.

We know that tourism plays a crucial role in the economic development of the city. Tourism contributes to the city’s revenues, raises appreciation for the natural resources here, expands business opportunities and provides more jobs — ultimately leading to a better quality of life for your people.

It is undeniable that the city and its surrounding communities have much to offer for the varied interests of tourists. You have such wonderful attractions as your eco-tourism circuit for the Puerto Princesa Underground River, your cultural and nature-based destinations, your beautiful beaches, and of course, your unique local delicacies and products. I’m looking forward to seeing — and tasting — more of these attractions first hand during my visit here.

Guided by the Tourism Development Plan, now is the time to take on the challenge of putting the plan into action. I commend the group here today and the Tourism Council, for taking to heart sustainable tourism development. It is only with this approach that we ensure what we are doing is not only economically viable, but is also preserving the environment.

I wish to thank Mayor Lucilo Bayron, for his leadership and for his close partnership with USAID. Puerto Princesa City has been one of our steadfast Cities Development Initiative partner cities that has showed great potential and commitment to growth, resilience, dynamism and livability.

I also wish to acknowledge all of you here for your hard work — to the members of the private sector and the Puerto Princesa City Tourism Council — for playing an active role in advancing our initiatives in the city. I urge you to continue this vibrant relationship with the city government as we work towards further improving the local investment climate, supporting the development of a sustainable tourism sector, facilitating urban-rural linkages, as well as fostering resilience in the environment.

I look forward to listening to today’s presentations from the City Tourism Office and from the business community, and to learning how we can continue to work together to achieve our shared goal of prosperity and growth for Puerto Princesa City and its people.

Thank you again and have a pleasant afternoon.