Inquirer
Frasco laments budget cuts amid criticism over low tourist numbers
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco defended the Department of Tourism's (DOT) performance, stating that criticisms from lawmakers regarding low tourist numbers do not account for significant budget cuts.
She highlighted that Congress slashed the DOT's promotions budget by 83 percent, from P1.2 billion in 2023 to P200 million in 2024, and further down to P100 million for the current year.
Frasco argued that the department is underfunded rather than underperforming, especially when compared to other Asian countries with multimillion-dollar marketing funds.
Despite the reduced funding, she emphasized the tourism industry's substantial contribution of P3.86 trillion to the Philippine economy and its role in employing over 6.75 million Filipinos, with indirect employment for nearly 10 million more.
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Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco questioned the timing of criticisms from two lawmakers, suggesting a possible link to her husband's recent declaration of independence from the House majority bloc.
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President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. aims to leverage the tourism industry to create jobs for Filipinos, emphasizing that government agencies are intensifying efforts to employ the remaining jobless citizens within his term.
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The Department of Tourism (DOT) is advocating for increased infrastructure funding, a tourism quick response fund, and a more liberal visa policy to enhance the tourism sector.
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