Section 35Sec./Art. 35

Coordination Between National and Local Governments. - In view of the urgent need to develop a national strategy for tourism development while giving due regard to the principle of local autonomy, the Department, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and LGUs shall integrate and coordinate local and national plans for tourism development. The Department may provide financial and technical assistance, training and other capacity - building measures to LGUs for the preparation, implementation and21 monitoring of their tourism development plans, gathering of statistical data, and enforcement of tourism laws and regulations, giving due priority to areas that have been identified as strategic in the implementation of the national tourism development plan. LGUs shall ensure the implementation of such plans.

The Department, the TPB and the TIEZA shall prioritize promotion and development assistance for LGUs which successfully adopt and implement their tourism development plans.