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, 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.
“Mr. President, 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 ‘yung ‘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.
“Mine is not a question. I am not going to bother you with any questions. Mine is actually one thousand percent support to the Department of Tourism. As a matter of fact, I have been fighting for you in all the departments that I meet with the DOTr (Department of Transportation), the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government), the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways), on how we should really push for a whole-of-government approach on tourism, Mr. President and my dear Sponsor, Senator Loren Legarda knows this, that the DOT cannot do it alone. If they are left alone in trying to promote all our tourism spots, nothing will happen to our country,” he said.
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 pleasantly surprised to learn, Mr. President, while we compare ourselves in other countries that they are, let’s say, we only have five million compared to the tens of millions of our ASEAN neighbors, but in terms of tourism expenditures for domestic tourism, the Philippines, I am told, based on the World [Travel and] Tourism Council, is number one in Southeast Asia, and I am holding a document which shows that the Philippines has the biggest domestic tourism market in Southeast Asia in the year 2023, with 52.1 billion US dollars or 32.9 percent share compared to ASEAN,” she said.
“Because we have a tendency, and rightly so, that we compare ourselves to our ASEAN neighbors: ‘Bakit ang Thailand ganito, tayo ganito lang?’ But because of the 110 million Filipinos, perhaps we could also focus on the exchange of tourists across various parts of the country. So, I take note of the WTTC report, not us, not the PSA [Philippine Statistics Authority], that Thailand is only second to the Philippines in terms of the percentage of expenditure domestically,” the seasoned senator expounded.
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 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 even 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.
“Mr. President, we likewise would like to acknowledge and commend the performance of our Secretary of the Department, Secretary Frasco, and we thank her presence today, Mr. President for being here,” he said.
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 the 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 wish the DOT all the best and you have our full support. Pero kung napansin natin, kaya pala maliit ang budget ng DOT kasi ang kilos niya is almost always a convergence. So meaning to say, it is really a low-hanging fruit. When it is about tourism, it affects almost the entire society or the entire village or the entire place. That is how the tourism sector is so critical and important,” he said.
In closing, Senator Ejercito emphasized the economic benefits of tourism.
“We would like to support the budget of the Department of Tourism, because Mr. President, the multiplier effect of tourism is enormous. It will really stimulate and help stimulate economic growth across different industries,” he said.
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.
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