Business Mirror VP for External Affairs, UPMG director and past president, 2011- 2015, Frederick “Ricky” M. Alegre was sworn into office as the Assistant Secretary to the Department of Tourism on September 5, 2016.
Appointed by the president himself, the two-time ADBOARD chair and 30-year media veteran will serve as both the spokesperson for the Department of Tourism and the assistant secretary for media. Alegre announced during the last UPMG General Membership Meeting that he was excited to give back to the country through using his expertise in both marketing and media to improve the Philippine tourism industry. To give way to this new responsibility, he has relinquished his board seat with UPMG and has resigned from the Business Mirror saying that, “My boss Anton understands that this is something that is not given to everybody and it is an opportunity to serve our country.” With a clear plan of action, Alegre hopes to change the DOT and create programs to attract more tourists to the country, thus encouraging economic growth. According to him, ”If we are not a tourist-visited country, we will never grow.” With a firm belief and solid background, he will change the tourism landscape of the Philippines. UPMG wishes ASEC Ricky the best in all his endeavors. We hope that you achieve your goals in giving back to the country and changing it for the better.