The Department of Tourism (DOT) is requesting a larger budget of PHP3.1 billion for 2026, including PHP500 million dedicated to branding and promotion, to better compete globally, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said.
She emphasized that the DOT has been underfunded in recent years, with its promotions budget drastically cut from PHP1.2 billion in 2024 to just PHP100 million in 2025.
Despite budget constraints and missed international arrival targets, the tourism sector generated a record PHP3.86 trillion in receipts in 2023 and employed over six million Filipinos.
Frasco cited challenges such as geopolitical tensions, economic slowdowns in key markets, and the suspension of the eVisa for China as factors affecting visitor numbers.
She pledged that the DOT will continue strategic efforts to boost tourism despite limited funding, while also recalibrating targets to reflect current realities.
Source: PhilNews24 | August 1, 2025
