The Senate has approved a tenfold increase in the Department of Tourism’s branding and marketing budget, raising it from this year’s ₱100 million to a proposed ₱1 billion for 2026.
Senators JV Ejercito and Loren Legarda said the boost will help the Philippines remain competitive despite regional neighbors allocating significantly higher tourism promotion budgets.
Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco welcomed the increase, calling it an investment in jobs, livelihoods, and national recovery as visitor spending surpasses pre-pandemic levels.
Meanwhile, Sen. Panfilo Lacson flagged ballooning allocations for the DSWD’s crisis aid program, noting a pattern of sharp increases during election years, which he said indicates political, rather than needs-based, distribution.
He warned that recent AICS allocations—especially in several congressional districts—reflect political influence and urged reforms to curb such practices.
Source: PhilNews24 | November 25, 2025
