TOURISM AMBASSADOR. Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. congratulates Ilongga beauty queen Alexie Mae Brooks for winning the Miss Eco International Philippines 2025 during the Miss Universe Philippines coronation night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday (May 22, 2024). At a press conference on Thursday (May 23, 2024), Defensor said Brooks would serve as the ambassador of the “Turista sa Barangay” program of Iloilo’s provincial government. (PNA photo by PGLena)
ILOILO CITY – Crowned Miss Eco International Philippines 2025 Alexie Mae Brooks will be the ambassador of the “Turista sa Barangay” program of Iloilo’s provincial government.
In a press conference Thursday, Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. said the provincial government is about to launch the program to develop the barangay as a community venue for tourism, and it was timely that Brooks could help them market the province.
“Congratulations to Alexie. Very timely that we have an ambassador for tourism. Timely, because we are about to launch this. We want to sign the executive order to institute Turista sa Barangay, a program to develop the barangay as a community venue for tourism events and activities, as well as the point of care for tourists in the province of Iloilo,” Defensor said.
He said it is a new idea because the barangays serve as the community venue of all tourism events, especially eco-tourism.
Defensor said barangays would be developed as the point of care so their residents are ready to attend to guests as tourism is the source of livelihood in the villages.
“We engage the beneficiary as the front line. We want Alexie to be the front line here as we sell Iloilo in the new approach for our tourism,” he added.
Defensor said they are working on the executive order and hope to sign it this weekend.
The 22-year-old Brooks, a resident of Leon municipality, represented Iloilo City at the recently concluded Miss Universe Philippines pageant held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
She was crowned Miss Iloilo during the 2024 Dinagyang Festival, earning her the privilege to represent Iloilo City at the national pageant.
Defensor said they have yet to talk with the department heads of the province about welcoming the beauty queen when she returns to Iloilo. (PNA)
