The Department of Tourism – Region III was recognized for ranking 3rd nationwide in the number of applications received for the inaugural Philippine Tourism Awards during Tourism Excellence in Review: A Post-Evaluation of the 1st Philippine Tourism Awards held in Savea Bay City Manila on December 11, 2025.

The post-evaluation saw the regional offices, including Central Luzon, review and assess the inaugural implementation of the Philippine Tourism Awards— the most prestigious tourism accolade in the country. During the session, the Tourism Regulation, Coordination, and Resource Generation (TRCRG), who have taken charge of leading the national implementation of the initiative, lauded regional offices who actively supported the PTA in its mission to honor the very best of Philippine Tourism through consistent and active coordination with their stakeholders.

The regional office, with the leadership of Director Richard G. Daenos, PhD and Tourism Regulation Division Chief Avon D. Timbol, tirelessly guided tourism enterprises and frontliners through the course of the PTA application process, producing five nominees during the September 8 awarding ceremony.