DEPARTMENT of Tourism (DoT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco led the inauguration of the first-ever completed tourist rest area (TRA) on July 10.
The facility, located in Medellin, is the first to be completed out of the initial batch of 10 TRAs that the DoT broke ground on since last year.
The TRA, a flagship project of the DoT identified as among the priority programs of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., is a convergence point that foreign and local travelers could approach to get information on tourism sites and attractions, activities and accommodations; report concerns related to safety and security; and gain access to other provisions necessary during their stay at a destination, such as a clean restroom.

'Every detail of a tourist journey is important to the department of tourism, and that is why we decided to address one of the most basic necessities of travel — clean and decent restrooms, and information center and pasalubong center,' Secretary Frasco said in her speech.
Tourists traveling to the northern part of Cebu can now make a stopover at the TRA in Medellin to avail of its free services, including the use of its charging station, and comfortable seating to rest in between travels.
The TRA also features a dedicated space where tourists can buy pasalubong (souvenirs) from a curation of local crafts and products of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Identified as a need for every traveling guest, the TRA also comes equipped with a clean restroom and shower area — also free of use.
As he affirmed his support for the DoT, Medellin Mayor Joven Mondigo Jr. also said in a speech that he is grateful that Medellin has been chosen as one of the towns where the TRA was constructed to cater to tourists traveling around Cebu Island province.
'The municipality of Medellin has the privilege to be the first LGU to inaugurate and turn over this prestigious tourist rest area facility,' he said.