As part of its efforts to cultivate efficient and reliable government service for industry stakeholders, the Department of Tourism (DOT) signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Landbank of the Philippines (LBP), the country’s largest government-owned bank.
Through the partnership, the DOT will adopt LBP’s LinkBiz Portal, an electronic payment platform that will allow tourism stakeholders, clients, and the general public to settle DOT-related fees such as accreditations, regulatory charges, penalties, and bidding documents through secure, real-time online transactions nationwide.
The agreement also institutionalizes the use of the Government Purchase Card (GPC), an electronic card that can be used as an alternative mode of payment for authorized DOT cardholders in purchasing eligible goods and services used for official purposes.
The initiative aims to reduce procurement lead time, lower administrative costs, and strengthen financial oversight.
“There is so much work that we can do together to help our communities, to give accessibility to financial inclusion, and of course, to tourism digitalization.”
“I am hopeful that this partnership will be the first and second of many for there is so much work that we can do together to help our communities, to give accessibility to financial inclusion, and of course, to tourism digitalization,” Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said.
Meanwhile, LBP President and CEO Lynette Ortiz said the partnership is expected to help the DOT sharpen its focus on its primary mandate.
“By streamlining payments and accelerating procurement processes, we aim to support the DOT in focusing even more on its core mission — promoting our country, empowering tourism enterprises and workers, and welcoming the world to our shores,” Ortiz added.
