Several senators have expressed strong support for the Department of Tourism (DOT) and underscored the need for a higher budget to bolster the agency’s contributions to the national economy.
This was during the Senate plenary deliberation for the DOT and its attached agencies’ budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 on Monday (Nov. 11).
The lawmakers also emphasized that a whole-of-government approach is essential to sustaining Philippine tourism’s growth, noting the DOT’s impact on economic development and its success in positioning the country as a global tourist destination.
“One of the lowest-hanging fruits among the industries is the tourism industry. We have [the] natural beauty. And first of all, we would like to thank the DOT family under Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco for their very aggressive marketing—‘Love The Philippines’—hoping that we can tap the vast potential of the tourism industry,” Senator JV Ejercito said as he opened the floor for interpellation.
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri also echoed his support, stressing the importance of infrastructure and connectivity for expanding tourism, especially to emerging destinations.
Senator Loren Legarda, the sponsor of the DOT’s FY 2025 budget, highlighted the Philippines’ remarkable domestic tourism achievements, citing data from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).
“I am told, based on the World Travel and Tourism Council, in terms of tourism expenditures, for domestic tourism, the Philippines is number one in Southeast Asia. I am holding a document which shows that the Philippines has the biggest domestic tourism market in Southeast Asia in 2023, with 52.1 billion US dollars, or a 32.9 percent share compared to ASEAN,” she said.
Senator Legarda further advocated for increasing the DOT budget to support tourism infrastructure, including roads and bridges, to enhance accessibility to tourism destinations.
“There is much to be desired because there is so much potential. We are resource-rich, and I agree, everyone has used that cliché. It is a low-hanging fruit. It is not just the DOT alone, as you very well said, it is the DOTr. How do we enter a place if there is no decent airport, or if the bathrooms are unclean, or there are no bathrooms at all? How can we go if there are no access roads, and it could be dangerous?” she asked.
Senator Joel Villanueva commended the DOT for its work in promoting education and employment, noting that the tourism sector employed 6.21 million people in 2023, representing approximately 12.9 percent of the country’s total employment.
Villanueva highlighted the DOT’s expanded initiatives, including partnerships with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence Training (FBSE), and programs supporting indigenous communities and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III also conveyed his support, praising the Intramuros Administration, a DOT-attached agency, for securing international accolades for the historic Walled City despite limited funding.
“We would like to support the budget of the Department of Tourism, because the multiplier effect of tourism is enormous. It will really stimulate and help stimulate economic growth across different industries,” Ejercito said in closing.
The DOT’s FY 2025 budget proposal, along with allocations for its attached agencies, will now be forwarded to the Bicameral Conference Committee for further deliberation.