The Department of Tourism (DOT) has promised to support the development of a docking facility in the famed Lake Sebu.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco made the commitment on the sidelines of the four-day Philippine Experience Program (PEP): Soccsksargen at the Punta Isla Lake Resort on Thursday.

In addition to this facility, Frasco said the DOT would also construct its flagship Tourist Rest Area (TRA) upon the town leaders’ request.

The lake is famous for floating restaurants that offer various tilapia dishes, lotus viewing tours, and cultural immersion activities by the T’boli indigenous group.

In a separate interview at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon, the Tourism chief said this development is an indication of a strong collaboration between the national government, local government, and private tourism stakeholders.

“(Ito) iyong effort na mabigyan natin ng promotional development and tourism development iyong South Cotabato (This is an effort on our part to provide promotional development and tourism development in South Cotabato),” she said.

DOT’s strong promotion of the Soccsksargen, specifically Lake Sebu comes as Frasco highlights the readiness of the region to tourists.

Frasco said coordination with concerned security agencies was continuous to promote Mindanao “strategically” or in a manner that they push for areas that have been declared “win” zones and are completely peaceful.

“I can personally attest to the feeling of safety that I have experienced in all my visits to Mindanao. I have been here quite a few times already. Kadadating ko lang din po (I just arrived here) from Davao Oriental, and prior to that, I was in Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro,” Frasco said.

“Mindanao is ripe for international and domestic tourism, and the people here are ready to welcome every guest that comes with the love that is so distinct to us Filipinos,” she added.

This is the third PEP that the DOT hosted in Mindanao, with the first featuring Davao and the second Northern Mindanao. (PNA)