DOT OKs 15 senior citizens as Intramuros tour guides

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has recently accredited 15 senior citizens as tour guides in the historic Intramuros district under the Tourism Legacy and Livelihood Program.

In a statement, the DOT said the program is being implemented in partnership with the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) as part of its inclusive, elderly-friendly tourism efforts.

The program allows Filipino elderly to participate in community-based tourism upon completion of interviews and a week-long training of lectures and mock tours.

The batch of 15 senior citizens approved by the DOT underwent a seven-day community tour guiding seminar held in September 2025 in collaboration with the Intramuros Administration (IA).

Four of the senior citizen tour guides are former overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) while one is a retired broadcaster.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco met the senior citizen tour guides to personally hear about their experiences and to get fresh inputs to improve the Tourism Legacy and Livelihood Program.

“I’m so impressed by the variety of professions and backgrounds of those that have successfully passed our senior citizens community tour guide training,” Frasco said.

“But even more impressed by the overarching purpose that drives you to be here, not just for leisure, not to address boredom perhaps, but more importantly, to serve our country,” she added.

Frasco also gave curated essential kits to the senior citizen tour guides, with each kit containing a portable lapel microphone, sunblock, hat, journal, tumbler, and sunglasses, along with accident insurance coverage.

The IA offers free walking tours with DOT-accredited guides at Fort Santiago and Casa Manila every Saturday and Sunday.

From 2022 to January 2026, 412,640 individuals have completed the DOT’s Filipino Brand of Service Excellence training program, including 12,786 tour guides. 

As of February 2026, there are 4,994 DOT-accredited tour guides in the country, excluding specialist tour guides.

Frasco added that by prioritizing the professional development of tour guides, the DOT ensures that “every visitor encounter reflects the quality, warmth, and excellence of Filipino hospitality, which ultimately drives tourism growth and creates more sustainable livelihoods for our communities.” — JMA, GMA Integrated News