Mark Lapid on Representing the Tourism Industry

In a recent interview of Kara David for GMA News and Public Affairs’ show Power House, senator-wannabe Mark Lapid shared that he and wife, Tanya Garcia, is not yet married in church until now, because she won’t accept his proposal - an issue that’s obviously doesn’t hinders his ambition to be an elected senator for the upcoming 2016 Election.

Despite of being a dad to two adorable girls and a husband to a beautiful wife, Mark was once a governor of the Province of Pampanga and recently held a position at Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) where he served as Chief Operating Officer prior to his filling of certificate of candidacy for next year’s national election.

An experience that honed and made him decide to run for next year's election, his service for TIEZA was brought about by the recognition that he received when he was appointed as General Manager of the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) in December 2009. The PTA was given by the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) a “Gawad Pampublikong Korporasyon” in testimony of the institution that articulates the values of creativity and excellence through public-private sector partnership.

During the dinner that he hosted for the bloggers in a restaurant that he co-owns, Locavore in Pasig City, Mark shared his life and ambitions if given a chance to serve as a Senator of the Philippines. Mainly focusing on the tourism industry of the country, Mark believes that with a proper handling of tourism projects and well-executed partnership with different private and public, local and foreign companies, our country will definitely be a must-experience destination in the South East Asia.

"Aside from OFW and BPO, Tourism, is the next main stream of the country - because it creates local jobs, it creates livelihood. Our country has a big potential to be an Agri Tourism destination, as well as Medical Tourism, Educational Tourism and Sports Tourism. And with our latest project, which is the Cruise Tourism, we can create more sustainable jobs for our people. This Cruise Tourism is currently piloting in Hundred Island, Boracay Island, Manila, Cebu, Kalanggaman Island in Leyte and soon in other top spots in the country,” he shared.

Mark is the son of former senator, Senator Lito Lapid, and currently running under the slate of Liberal Party’s Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo. With a vision of “Ipagpatuloy ang Daang Matuwid”, Mark envisions with his party to help our country prosper without sacrificing the most precious part of tourism – our nature.

“We wanna make sure that this time, we're doing it right and for the benefit of our people without sacrificing the beauty of our country. We have some projects in the pipeline and we hope to continue this in the coming years," he concluded.