Manila: The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Tuesday sealed a partnership with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) to strengthen tourism digitalization and improve the delivery of government services for industry stakeholders. The DOT said its memorandum of agreement with LandBank is part of efforts to make transactions more efficient, secure, and accessible.

According to Philippines News Agency, under the partnership, the DOT will adopt LandBank’s LinkBiz Portal, an electronic payment platform that allows tourism stakeholders, clients, and the general public to settle DOT-related fees through secure, real-time online transactions nationwide. These include accreditations, regulatory charges, penalties, and bidding documents.

The agreement also institutionalizes the use of the Government Purchase Card (GPC), an electronic card that may be used as an alternative mode of payment for authorized DOT cardholders in procuring eligible goods and services for official use. This initiative aims to reduce procurement lead time, lower administrative costs, and strengthen financial oversight.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco expressed optimism about the partnership, emphasizing its potential to advance financial inclusion and digital transformation in the tourism sector. ‘I am hopeful that this partnership today will be the first of many, as there is so much work we can do together to help our communities, provide greater access to financial inclusion, and further tourism digitalization,’ Frasco said.

LandBank President and Chief Executive Officer Lynette Ortiz highlighted the benefits of the collaboration, noting its role in helping the DOT 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 said.

The DOT stated that the partnership aligns with the Marcos administration’s push for digital government services and improved ease of doing business, particularly for tourism stakeholders nationwide.