MANILA – A congresswoman who once joined Binibining Pilipinas – and won – shared her thoughts about the staging of the Miss Universe pageant in the Philippines next year.

In a statement released Sunday, Leyte 1st district Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez encouraged Filipinos to support the country’s hosting of Miss Universe in 2017, saying that the Philippines will benefit from the worldwide exposure.

“The immediate and long-term livelihood and economic opportunities which the pageant can bring into the country should be of more vital consideration as we look forward to a successful hosting [of Miss Universe],” said Romualdez, who was crowned Bb. Pilipinas International in 1996.

“Apart from the contestants and their families, foreign tourists and most likely even business leaders from all over the world will arrive to watch the pageant,” she added. “Definitely, this will greatly help boost our tourism sector and bring more attention to our tourist attractions.”

She continued: “Most of all, foreign media will be present. So our country, our wonders and what we have to offer will enjoy worldwide exposure. This can translate to a wider foreign market, an increase in tourist arrivals and hopefully, new business investments by foreign investors.”

READ: What to expect from Miss Universe in PH

The estimated $11-million budget for Miss Universe in 2017 will be sourced entirely from the private sector, but Romualdez believes that the government and the rest of the country still have a role to play in making sure that the pageant will run smoothly.

“It’s up to us to make it happen,” she ended.

For next year’s Miss Universe, the Philippines will be fielding Maxine Medina, a 25-year-old interior designer who has been modeling since 2008.

She will attempt to succeed Pia Wurtzbach, the first Filipina to win the title in over four decades.