Makati: The Department of Tourism (DOT) is tapping P-pop group BINI as its new tourism ambassador, DOT Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay officially announced Friday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Angara-Mathay said the agency is currently refining the details of the upcoming collaboration, but confirmed that the girl group is among the Filipino talents the DOT is planning to partner with to boost tourism promotion. "I can say so (that they're already our tourism ambassador). May signing pa siyempre kasi we have to work through the schedule, etc. (Of course, there would still be a signing because we have to work through the schedule, etc.). But we are aligned," she told reporters during BINI's courtesy visit at DOT Makati.

She added that each member of BINI represents a province or a town and is knowledgeable about its features, which they can bring to tourism promotion. DOT Assistant Secretary Ren Sapitan stated that the agency had been in discussions with the group since their performance at Coachella, noting their vast reach and impact among the Filipino audience. "The talks today, the courtesy call by BINI, is a signal to a bigger and lasting partnership. And hopefully, this extends beyond that P-pop ecosystem," he said.

Star Magic and ABS-CBN TV production head Lauren Dyogi also remarked that a collaboration with the DOT would be beneficial not only for the girls and ABS-CBN but also for the entire industry. "We have not finalized anything. (But) this is a start of hopefully a long-lasting partnership in helping promote Philippine tourism," he said.

The eight-member group, known for their songs Pantropiko, Salamin, Salamin, and Cherry on Top, has been dubbed the "nation's girl group." BINI is composed of Aiah, Maloi, Jhoanna, Mikha, Sheena, Colet, Gwen, and Stacey. Angara-Mathay has indicated that the DOT is looking to partner with at least two P-Pop groups, though the next group has yet to be confirmed.

This move to engage Filipino talent comes as the DOT intensifies efforts to enhance domestic tourism. Previously, the DOT partnered with Korean actor Seo In-guk as the Philippine Tourism Ambassador for South Korea, the country's leading source market for foreign visitors.