Section 17. Regional Offices. — The Department shall establish, operate and maintain a regional office in each administrative region in the country. A regional office, headed by a regional director, shall have the following functions:

1. Implement laws, policies, plans, programs, rules and regulations of the Department, particularly those relating to compliance therewith, and to the accreditation of tourism enterprises promulgated by the Department;

2. Coordinate with regional offices of other departments, bureaus and agencies, LGUs, NGOs and the regional offices of the Department's attached agencies in the implementation of such laws, policies, plans, programs and rules and regulations;

3. Undertake research and data gathering on local tourism trends and other relevant tourism information;

4. Together with LGUs, establish such tourist information and assistance centers at strategic locations as are necessary to disseminate relevant information pertaining to the tourist locations and products and to assist tourists and tourism enterprises;

5. Conduct trainings and information campaigns, and assist the TPB in domestic promotions in the pertinent region on subject matters such as this Act, the functions of the Department, tourism traffic and new tourism sites, among others; and

6. Make recommendations to the Secretary on all matters relating to tourism in the region.