President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. appointed trade diplomat Dita Angara-Mathay to head the Department of Tourism, aiming to align tourism with economic growth and support local industries and MSMEs.
Dita Angara-Mathay, a seasoned trade diplomat, has been appointed by Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as the new Secretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT), succeeding former chief Christina Frasco. Before this role, Angara-Mathay served as the Commercial Counselor and Special Trade Representative of the Philippines in Tokyo, Japan, representing the country in international industrial dialogues and summits, particularly in electronics and sustainable textiles sectors.
She participated in notable forums such as the SEMI Southeast Asia Investment Forum in January 2025 and Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo in September 2025. Angara-Mathay led programs connecting global organizations to produce tangible local outcomes, supporting business growth, industry strengthening, and expanding opportunities for Philippine enterprises, especially micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
According to the Presidential Communications Office, Angara-Mathay’s appointment aims to synergize tourism with national economic development by attracting more investors, supporting local industries, and ensuring tourism benefits reach various regions across the country.
Dita Angara-Mathay is married to Robbie Mathay, former president of the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority, and is a cousin of Education Secretary Sonny Angara.
Sources referenced:
- https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/balitambayan/balita/983419/kilalanin-ang-bagong-kalihim-ng-department-of-tourism-na-si-dita-angara-mathay/story/
