DOT

Department of Tourism (DOT): PHP 5.47 billion was the total FY2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP) proposal for the Department of Tourism (DOT) and its attached bodies, comprising PHP 4.03 billion for DOT and its attached agencies and PHP 1.45 billion in budgetary support for government corporations. The DOT-and-attached-agencies amount compares with PHP 4.23 billion in the FY2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) on the same scope. The Office of the Secretary (OSEC) had PHP 3.53 billion in the FY2027 NEP against its FY2026 allocation of PHP 3.69 billion, and sought PHP 82.33 million in additional FY2027 funding. The presentation did not state a consolidated original Department of Budget and Management (DBM) submission total; individual additional requests are reported separately below.

Intramuros Administration (IA): PHP 50.9 million in additional FY2027 funding was requested by IA for promotion, heritage preservation and visitor experience, including preparation related to World Heritage listing.

Nayong Pilipino Foundation (NPF): PHP 5 million in additional FY2027 funding was requested by NPF for the Cultural Leadership Institute’s Makanayon Training Program.

National Parks Development Committee (NPDC): PHP 205.6 million in additional FY2027 funding was requested by NPDC for improvements at Rizal Park, the Luneta powerhouse and the Japanese Garden.

Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA): PHP 1.31 billion in additional FY2027 funding was requested by TIEZA for five strategic tourism infrastructure projects, including Banaue, San Vicente, Coron, Hundred Islands and airport connectivity or gateway improvements.

Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving (PCSSD): PCSSD’s FY2027 NEP allocation was PHP 49.95 million. It separately requested PHP 82.49 million in additional funding for digitalization and sector data, safety, regulatory compliance, institutional capacity and sustainable destination development.

Corporations seeking national-government support: The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) and Duty Free Philippines Corporation (DFPC) sought FY2027 national-government budgetary support.

FY2027 OSEC allocation components: PHP 2.45 billion for program operations, PHP 1.02 billion for general administration and PHP 59 million for support to operations comprise the FY2027 DOT Office of the Secretary (OSEC) NEP. Operations include PHP 1.60 billion for market and product development, including PHP 1 billion for the branding campaign; the remaining programs address policy and planning, workforce development and standards enforcement.

FY2027 DOT OSEC additional requirements: PHP 20 million for business development, PHP 22 million for national tourism plans and PHP 20 million for foreign-office operations were among the additional FY2027 DOT OSEC requirements. The itemized requests included rental funding and augmentation of the Tourism Development Fund. The rental passage gives conflicting figures: PHP 11.129 million for remaining requirements, while the stated FY2027 total requirement was PHP 156.14 million, the NEP provided PHP 145.02 million, and the resulting gap was called PHP 11.30 million. For the Tourism Development Fund, PHP 4.58 million was available under a FY2027 special provision against PHP 13.01 million in identified requirements; DOT requested the PHP 8.43 million balance. The fund uses accreditation and related fee revenues. Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay later sought restoration of the department's FY2026 funding level and sustainable-tourism and investment-strategy funding, alongside these itemized requests.

ASEAN tourism spending comparison: US$49.7 million was the Philippine tourism budget cited for 2025 in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) comparison. Angara-Mathay separately cited US$86.68 million in Philippine tourism marketing investment and 74,758 arrivals per US$1 million in government marketing investment, while pointing to private investment across Vietnam's tourism ecosystem.

Financial execution and close: 86% was DOT's reported FY2025 budget utilization. As of June 2026, utilization was 35%; Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay projected 75% by September and full utilization by year-end.

DOT women’s-rights and child-safety program spending: PHP 9.071 million was spent in FY2025 on the Department of Tourism (DOT) program supporting women's rights and child safety, according to Undersecretary Ma. Dionesa A. Rivera-Guillermo in response to Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago. She reported 19 trainings with 931 participants in 2025 and updated the ongoing 2026 figures to 40 trainings with 2,001 participants from January through July. Elago requested a full program report.

TRIP tourism-access roads and 2027 funding: Elago asked about the Tourism Road Infrastructure Program (TRIP), which funds access roads to declared tourism destinations, noting that the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP) had no separately identified funding for it. Rivera-Guillermo confirmed that TRIP was not funded in the 2027 NEP and said DOT was coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH); the agencies still needed to determine whether to continue their convergence program or have the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) implement the projects. Elago requested DOT’s report on TRIP implementation from 2022 through 2026.

Department of Tourism and attached agencies: proposed augmentation: Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez confirmed the additional Office of the Secretary requirements with Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay, supported funding increases for DOT and its attached agencies, and said he would move at the proper time for their combined augmentation. This was an expression of support and an intended later motion.

DOT fuel-subsidy program under development: Rep. Percival Cendaña asked what contingency the Department of Tourism (DOT) had if oil prices continued rising in 2027 and whether DOT had proposed a fuel-subsidy program. Undersecretary Stanley K. Ng said a subsidy would help if approved, and that DOT was still finalizing the program and gathering data.

Support for DOT’s Tier 2 augmentation request: Cendaña supported DOT’s request for budget augmentation, clarifying that the request was Tier 2. He connected the request to tourism employment and warned that declining investment in the industry could put jobs at risk.

Terra Madre Asia and Pacific funding: PHP 45 million requested for FY2027 Terra Madre Asia and Pacific under Tier 2 was not approved by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). Department of Tourism (DOT) Director Paulo Benito S. Tugbang projected a 132% return on that proposed investment. Responding to Rep. Javier Miguel Lopez Benitez, Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay committed to seek DBM approval; Undersecretary Ma. Dionesa A. Rivera-Guillermo said DOT would explore funding options with the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB). She reported PHP 15 million approved for Terra Madre in FY2026 under continuing appropriations. Benitez supported the request and additional tourism funding.

DOT Tier 2 Tourism Road Infrastructure Program proposal: The Department of Tourism (DOT) proposed 28 Tourism Road Infrastructure Program (TRIP) projects costing approximately ₱6.02 billion under its FY2027 Tier 2 proposal. Responding to Rep. Salvador A. Pleyto, Undersecretary Maria Victoria V. Jasmin said this followed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) proposal to charge funding for continuing and new TRIP projects against the DOT budget ceiling. The Tier 2 proposal was not included in the FY2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP). Jasmin said this left DOT with an infrastructure funding problem even as promotion continued.

Bakas access road request: Pleyto renewed his request to open and improve the access road to the Bakas area along the Angat River System in Norzagaray, Bulacan, describing heavy seasonal visitation and poor road conditions. DOT Region X Regional Director Marie Elaine S. Unchuan confirmed meetings with Pleyto and local governments. She said the regional office was completing its Regional Tourism Development Plan and asking local governments to prioritize projects; if funding still needed to be found, a project could be included in the priority archive. Pleyto asked whether the Bakas road would be in DOT's FY2027 program, and sought DOT assistance. He supported DOT's budget and also endorsed Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez's earlier augmentation proposal as further support for tourism funding.

DOT FY2027 Tier 2 disaster-recovery request: PHP 5 million requested by the Department of Tourism (DOT) under FY2027 Tier 2 for disaster recovery through the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) was omitted from the National Expenditure Program (NEP). Responding to Rep. Eulogio "Leo" R. Rodriguez, Undersecretary Ma. Dionesa A. Rivera-Guillermo said DOT had no FY2027 funding allocation through NDRRMC.

FY2027 branding allocation and market strategy: PHP 50 million of FY2027 branding funds was allocated to address declining South Korean arrivals. Rep. Elmer V. Catulpos asked how Department of Tourism (DOT) branding funds were divided between international and domestic marketing. DOT Assistant Secretary Armand Lorenze V. Sapitan said 60% was allocated to international marketing and 40% to domestic marketing. He attributed the larger international share to overseas placement costs, the peso's lower value, and the need to sustain or revive arrivals across 13 key markets. He said spending would be targeted toward receptive markets, citing year-on-year growth of 69% from China, about 29% from Vietnam and about 30% from India. South Korean arrivals had declined 17%.

FY2027 tourism-industry training budget and program scope: PHP 230 million was the approximate FY2027 tourism-training budget cited by Catulpos, who asked about worker coverage, allowances and certification costs. Assistant Secretary Maria Christina G. Aquino gave PHP 198.752 million for the indicative list of core activities under the Tourism Industry Training Program. Aquino said the programs served affected stakeholders and included recognized certification programs.

Support for the FY2027 DOT budget: Catulpos said he fully supported the Department of Tourism's proposed FY2027 budget and urged augmentation.

Department of Tourism Region VI FY2027 allocation and requested augmentation: PHP 50.8 million in the FY2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP) for Department of Tourism (DOT) Region VI was compared with PHP 56.7 million under the FY2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) by Rep. Howard A. Guintu. Undersecretary Ma. Dionesa A. Rivera-Guillermo confirmed the FY2027 amount. Guintu separately sought PHP 7-8 million in augmentation, citing the region's dependence on tourism.

Intramuros relocation funding report: Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago requested an Intramuros Administration (IA) report on relocation funding and remaining needs, particularly water, electricity and community support for relocated families. Administrator Joan M. Padilla described housing and livelihood facilities for beneficiaries.

TIEZA FY2027 subsidy and funding alternatives: PHP 2.355 billion in available funds was cited by Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Assistant Director Lulu P. Vispo as an alternative funding source for Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) priority projects. She identified unobligated allotments as of March 31, 2026 and PHP 1.5 billion in unreleased FY2025 appropriations. Responding to Rep. Sergio C. Dagooc, Vispo explained that DBM omitted the requested FY2027 national-government subsidy because travel-tax abolition bills remained pending; TIEZA could continue using travel-tax collections and its corporate operating budget. She also identified the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Special Account in the General Fund (SAGF) as an option for tourism enterprise-zone development. Dagooc urged DBM to consider augmentation and expressed support for additional funding, particularly for TIEZA.

Alternative public financing after travel-tax abolition: Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago urged alternative public financing for resilient and sustainable tourism and historical, cultural and religious heritage projects, arguing that travel-tax abolition should not remove funding for these projects.

TIEZA FY2027 multi-year projects and infrastructure funding: PHP 5.2 billion was the approximate FY2027 amount cited for Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) multi-year projects by Chief Operating Officer Mark T. Lapid. Rep. Howard A. Guintu questioned funding continuity if travel tax were abolished. Lapid distinguished PHP 2 billion for office operations from money to pay for infrastructure. Guintu requested a list of ongoing projects so members could seek FY2027 funding through the Committee on Appropriations.

PCSSD dive-destination allocation and environmental safeguards: PHP 15.2 million for dive-destination development, promotion and sustainability was cited by Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago, who asked what share addressed environmental sustainability. Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving (PCSSD) Executive Director Marco Angelo J. Ancheta said environmental protection was integrated across programs alongside quality, health and safety, and that PCSSD would follow its Board's funding guidance while seeking more resources.

Tourism Promotions Board funding and request: Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Chief Operating Officer Margarita Montemayor Nograles said TPB draws funding from the Treasury Fund. She reported that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) had committed to providing its request in tranches and had asked TPB to prepare the request. Rodriguez urged TPB to seek an increase for FY2027.

Fiesta Mall operations, right-sizing and redevelopment: Rep. Renee Louise M. Co asked why the Duty Free Philippines Corporation (DFPC) was closing Fiesta Mall and moving its office to Parañaque. Chief operating officer Patrick Joel M. Cinco clarified that Fiesta Mall was not closing: the lease expired in June, and DFPC chose to right-size because rent and operating costs were high and it had not fully used the entire complex. Operations continue while DFPC considers a private lessor's plan to redevelop and revive the mall, with DFPC as an anchor tenant. Cinco said the redevelopment would retain DFPC's duty-free role and add complementary, noncompeting food, beverage and other tenants. DFPC's office will move to Pasay, not Parañaque, as part of its cost measures. Co asked whether right-sizing applied elsewhere and requested a copy of any broader space or asset plan; Cinco said only Fiesta Mall had been right-sized so far and agreed to provide the plan.

Outstanding compensation claims from the 2023 restructuring: Co asked how DFPC would address outstanding compensation claims from previously separated employees amid its right-sizing. Cinco clarified that the current Fiesta Mall space adjustment affected no employees; he said the outstanding claims relate to the 2023 restructuring. DFPC has been contacting the remaining separated employees, issuing formal notices and providing HR assistance to facilitate unpaid compensation. Co requested a progress report. Cinco committed to provide updates and said funds for remaining settlements were earmarked, with resolutions and Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) clearances still pending.

Tourism's economic contribution and regional position: Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay said tourism generated PHP 2.27 trillion in direct economic value in 2025, equal to 8.1% of GDP; domestic tourism spending was PHP 3.26 trillion and international visitor spending PHP 698 billion. Tourism supported 7.7 million jobs, or 15.7% of national employment. International arrivals reached 3.93 million from January through July 2026, up 1.5% year over year; arrivals rose from 5.48 million in 2023 to 6.48 million in 2025. The Philippines ranked sixth in ASEAN arrivals in 2025, with 5% of the regional market, and fifth in tourism receipts at about US$12.15 billion.

Workforce, accreditation and access: Angara-Mathay said recalibration and changed target participants affected training volume; the department was strengthening workforce, academe and local government capacity. DOT-accredited enterprises and frontliners grew 35%, from 11,545 in 2023 to 15,592 as of June 2026. As of September 2026, 20 international routes had launched and 13 more were set to launch, with over 472,000 additional seats projected by year-end. After the Philippines was recognized as the top retirement destination, average Special Resident Retiree's Visa applications rose from 15 to 25 daily, a 67% increase.

Dive, cruise and destination development: Angara-Mathay described dive tourism as a high-value product, estimating US$1.3 billion in tourism revenue and identifying 29 dive destination clusters and 956 sites. She also said PCSSD had certified 330 dive professionals as of June 2026. Cruise calls recovered to 136 in 2025 and were projected to reach 155 across 38 destinations by 2027; Visayas calls were projected to rise from 14 in 2026 to 28 in 2027. DOT's Cruise Visa Waiver Program had issued 16,563 waivers since 2024, 99.8% to Chinese nationals; 7,066 were issued in the first half of 2026. Angara-Mathay said the inaugural Michelin Guide Philippines recognized 108 establishments; partner payment-network data showed transactions up 33.6% and transaction value up 22.6% in Q4 2025 versus Q4 2024. Arrivals increased 302% in Batanes and 110% in Camiguin, and the Philippines had 70 Muslim-friendly accommodation establishments.

Tourism promotion and creative industries: Angara-Mathay introduced the Discover More to Love campaign video and said that in its first 100 days the campaign generated over 800 room nights and PHP 1.79 million in documented hotel sales from participating partners. She also credited initiatives engaging Filipino artists and creative talent with 51,000 active users, 44,000 new users and 590,000 engagements across tourism platforms, linking the work to the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act.

Presiding remarks and budget deliberation: Presiding Representative Marie Bernadette G. Escudero welcomed newly appointed Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay and framed tourism as a source of jobs, support for local enterprises and communities, and opportunity for Filipinos. Escudero called for constructive examination of whether the Department of Tourism's proposed budget meets the sector's needs and whether public investment brings more visitors, better infrastructure, stronger tourism enterprises and wider opportunities. Drawing on her experience in Sorsogon, she said she believed the country should invest more in Philippine tourism and urged Congress and the department to work together to strengthen tourism as a driver of inclusive, sustainable growth. She then invited Angara-Mathay to present the department's budget and priorities.

Women, child safety and marine protection: Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago asked about regional focal personnel, monitoring, referral systems and immediate support for victims of trafficking, sexual exploitation and violence against women. Undersecretary Maria Victoria V. Jasmin said regional offices had responsible personnel, conducted community-awareness training and monitored incidents with police coordination. Undersecretary Ma. Dionesa A. Rivera-Guillermo identified partners including the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philippine National Police (PNP), Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), local governments and ECPAT Philippines. On marine ecosystems, Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving (PCSSD) Executive Director Marco Angelo J. Ancheta described collaboration with the Marine Science Institute, Coral Beach Watch and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), plus environmental-protection activities.

Tourism employment status and industry data: Elago asked for a breakdown of the 7.7 million people in tourism by regular, casual, seasonal, project-based, fixed-term, or probationary employment. Rivera-Guillermo said DOT did not have those specific employment-status figures, but had an industry-characteristics breakdown, and undertook to provide complete details if the data were available.

Intramuros relocation and community services: Elago asked where the Intramuros Administration’s SIMPLE program relocation beneficiaries had moved and what community services they had received. Intramuros Administrator Joan M. Padilla said 388 of the 470 intended informal-settler-family beneficiaries had been relocated to Morong, Rizal. She described the program’s housing and livelihood support, including community facilities, a multipurpose hall, a market, 30 tricycle units, three point-to-point shuttle units for workers commuting to Metro Manila, a basketball court, perimeter fencing, solar streetlights, and a material-recovery facility. Elago called for complete community services at relocation sites, raised water and electricity access problems.

Travel-tax abolition and affected TIEZA personnel: Elago asked how travel-tax abolition would affect TIEZA personnel and what transition support or reassignment was planned. TIEZA Chief Operating Officer Mark T. Lapid said that if abolition proceeded, around 300 travel-tax personnel would be terminated; others would receive a separation-incentive package. TIEZA could not absorb all staff at its main office because employees were spread across international airports and its plantilla positions were nearly full. Elago argued that workers needed jobs as well as separation benefits.

Tourism projects in Northern Mindanao: Rodriguez thanked the DOT for work in Cagayan de Oro and Mindanao, including a roadmap for Muslim historical sites and culinary arts and funding to expand a historical trail. He said the project had grown from three places to a regional trail and was nearing completion, with photographs and explanations in place. He described the trail and a tourism roadmap for Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro as support for tourism in Region 10. He also thanked the regional director for helping disseminate the trail material to local hotels.

Tourism's economic contribution: Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez cited tourism's economic contribution and employment to argue for support for the department and attached agencies.

Fuel-price pressure, airfare affordability, and island-airport capacity: Cendaña linked the tourism sector’s slow recovery after COVID-19 and the Middle East crisis to volatile fuel prices and cited a rise in the fuel-price surge level from 8 in July to 13 that month. Asked how to make domestic travel affordable as DOT’s capital-outlay budget declined, Undersecretary Stanley K. Ng said airfares also reflected demand exceeding available seats. Cebu and Davao had more service, while island destinations such as Siargao, Busuanga, and El Nido faced limited capacity and airports that generally operated only in daytime. Ng said turboprop aircraft carried around 70–80 passengers and five daily round trips supplied roughly 400 seats; larger aircraft and night-rated airports, as in Cebu, could spread costs across more seats. He described coordination with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) on fares and airport infrastructure. He reported Busuanga’s new runway would allow larger aircraft initially and was expected to accommodate jets in the second half of the following year; improvements were also planned for Siargao’s terminal and El Nido’s runway. Cendaña asked DOT to submit DOTr’s commitments on facility improvements and asked for a 2027 oil-price contingency plan.

DOT competitiveness strategy amid limited resources: Cendaña asked how DOT would address the country’s tourism-competitiveness gap in the region while working with a slightly lower budget. Angara-Mathay outlined efforts to attract higher-spending visitors from Japan, China, and Korea; promote tourist circuits and higher-spend products such as gastronomy, diving, and island-hopping; protect the country’s brand; and strengthen accreditation, quality standards, crisis response, and workforce competitiveness. Undersecretary Ma. Dionesa A. Rivera-Guillermo said DOT would use strategic priorities within its available funds, including training, accreditation, and branding as conversion pathways, and would work with private partners on tourism-related investment as a contingency.

Branding reforms and prospective BINI and SB19 collaboration: Asked about restoring public trust after prior campaign controversies, Angara-Mathay said DOT would regularly publish tourism-arrival and value data and was building a branding team. She identified SB19 and BINI as tourism ambassadors. Assistant Secretary Armand Lorenze V. Sapitan said the department had shifted its public voice toward showcasing destinations and engaging the public, and would retain the Love the Philippines campaign while changing its approach. Sapitan said DOT was still in talks with BINI and SB19, had given them until September to respond. Cendaña publicly urged BINI and SB19 to join the campaign.

Affordability claims and private-sector tourism investment: Cendaña asked what made the Philippines’ promise of easier, more affordable travel credible. Sapitan said Filipino hospitality and personal assistance to visitors were part of the country’s distinguishing offer, while Cendaña cautioned against overpromising and said the promise needed real investment and industry reforms. Asked what private-sector participation in promotion looked like, Secretary Angara-Mathay cited Sun Group’s investment across the tourism ecosystem, including attractions, hotels, accommodation, villages, and barangays.

Tourism promotion, infrastructure and marine protection: Benitez asked whether the DOT should prioritize promotions, infrastructure or cost. Secretary Angara-Mathay said promotion and infrastructure investment must go together, with support across the tourism ecosystem, to sustain the industry. Benitez also asked whether DOT participates in marine sanctuary protection and whether it has funding for that work, citing dynamite fishing concerns in Palawan. Undersecretary Rivera-Guillermo said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) usually leads on these matters; its protected areas and environmental offices consult DOT when ecotourism may be affected. She lacked the relevant data during the hearing and said DOT would revert. Benitez accepted the follow-up and described seeing fewer marine species in the area.

Victorias City tourism initiatives: Benitez recalled Victorias City's Tourism Champions Challenge win and thanked Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) Chief Operating Officer Mark T. Lapid for support. He highlighted local attractions, food and branding as tourism assets.

Terra Madre's Bacolod event and food tourism: Rep. Javier Miguel Lopez Benitez described Slow Food and Terra Madre as promoting local food and fair livelihoods. He said the first Asia-Pacific event in Bacolod drew 25 countries, about 2,500 delegates and 75,000 visitors, after which Slow Food International selected Bacolod as its regional hub. He cited PHP 46.59 million in sales, almost PHP 298 million in combined return and PHP 1.4 million in organizer earnings from the past event. Undersecretary Ma. Dionesa A. Rivera-Guillermo distinguished the existing multi-year Michelin Guide gastronomy contract from Terra Madre and suggested incorporating the event into product-development work.

Mining and tourism in Dinagat Islands: Rep. Sergio C. Dagooc asked about the Department of Tourism (DOT)'s coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), opposing mining alongside tourism destinations. He pointed to mining permits in the Dinagat Islands, including the bonsai forest in Loreto, while promoting the area as a destination. Undersecretary Ma. Dionesa A. Rivera-Guillermo described a DOT-DENR convergence program for sustainable tourism, including training in sustainable tourism, dining and community eco-guiding; she reported 13 trainings with 417 participants. Dagooc asked DOT to inventory tourism destinations and coordinate with DENR over mining in areas such as Dinagat. Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay committed to deepen that coordination and raise the issue with her DENR counterpart. Dagooc said Dinagat had strong potential as a Caraga destination.

Infrastructure priorities and interagency coordination: Rep. Salvador A. Pleyto argued that tourism growth also depends on roads, airports, ports, water, sanitation, telecommunications and electricity, and asked which high-potential destinations faced infrastructure barriers. Undersecretary Ma. Dionesa A. Rivera-Guillermo described DOT priorities of connectivity, domestic tourism, destination readiness, investment and ease of entry, and cited a new Manila International Airport in Bulacan and proposed railway connectivity between Bulacan and Clark. She said DPWH handles road construction and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) develops airports, ports and transport infrastructure. She also cited a Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) study on connectivity and infrastructure gaps and a March 2026 memorandum of agreement designating Siquijor and Siargao as pilot sites. Pleyto asked how tourism priorities were reflected in implementing-agency allocations and whether there was a formal interagency master list. Undersecretary Maria Victoria V. Jasmin described regional coordination with other agencies and packages linking destinations, attractions and experiences for different tourists.

Japanese Garrison as an emerging Catanduanes destination: Rep. Eulogio “Leo” R. Rodriguez asked how the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) could develop a potential destination from the site through visitor facilities and road access. He cited the Japanese Garrison, a World War II structure in Bato, Catanduanes. TIEZA Chief Operating Officer Mark T. Lapid said TIEZA funds tourist information centers and other tourism facilities, but does not build roads. He identified road connectivity as the role of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which previously handled roads under the Tourism Road Infrastructure Program (TRIP).

Disaster assessments, referrals, and recovery support for tourism workers: Rodriguez described how typhoons and other disasters cancel bookings, damage tourism businesses, and put small resorts, homestays, guides, drivers, vendors, and workers at particular risk. Asked what help DOT provided, Rivera-Guillermo said regional offices assess and report affected workers, establishments, and infrastructure to support timely national response and recovery. DOT facilitates referrals of affected tourism workers to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and local government units (LGUs) for family food packs and emergency cash transfers. Rodriguez emphasized that disaster recovery should also sustain small businesses and tourism workers nationwide until operations and visitor activity return, so livelihoods can stabilize.

Partnerships with local and regional businesses: Co asked whether DFPC partners with homegrown businesses from different regions and how its business model could feature them in duty-free shops. Cinco described business-to-business partnerships with hotels, banks, e-wallet companies, tourism organizations and other government agencies to promote DFPC and extend its reach across the Philippines. Co noted the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) efforts to extend local businesses reach and urged DFPC to bring Filipino brands and regional businesses to national and international audiences, and asked it to report recent partnerships with local and regional businesses. Cinco agreed to provide the requested information.

Outbound travel, inbound arrivals and tourism receipts: Catulpos cited 7.65 million Filipinos traveling abroad in 2025, attributed to industry players, against his figure of 5.87 million foreign tourists arriving in the Philippines. He asked whether neighboring destinations were 20% to 30% cheaper and whether that drew Filipinos abroad. Director Zeny C. Pallugna of the Department of Tourism's Office of Market Development acknowledged more than 7 million outbound travelers, then emphasized domestic tourism as the industry's backbone: 134 million domestic tourists in 2024. For 2025 inbound arrivals, she gave 6.48 million, differing from Catulpos's 5.87 million figure. Pallugna pointed to length of stay and tourism receipts, citing around US$2,000-plus per traveler and a top regional ranking for receipts under a World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) report; she described tourism as the country's third dollar earner.

Tourism marketing talent and campaign stories: Asked whether campaigns would use foreign-market celebrities or feature Filipino tourism workers, Assistant Secretary Armand Lorenze V. Sapitan said the Department of Tourism was considering influencers or celebrities with strong appeal in target markets, while not yet investing in them because homegrown talent already had strong market pull. He cited SB19's established fan base and fans who traveled from Korea and the western United States to see the group, extending their stays. Catulpos said tourism workers themselves should be at the heart of campaign materials, pointing to travelers' positive stories about them.

Destination categories for tourism investment: Catulpos proposed classifying destinations as top destinations, rising stars or hidden gems to guide a national tourism investment roadmap, so Congress could see where investment was directed. He noted that international visitors may associate the Philippines with beaches while domestic travelers may seek other experiences. Undersecretary Stanley K. Ng agreed that destinations should be categorized and described infrastructure and capacity as useful distinctions: developed destinations can receive large aircraft and have sufficient hotel rooms, while rising stars are still developing and may have some infrastructure. Ng's response supplied part of the proposed investment-readiness framework.

Inter-province tourism planning for Gigantes, Sicogon, and Roxas City: Guintu proposed multi-region or inter-province tourism planning and joint advertising for Gigantes, Sicogon, and Roxas City. He described Gigantes and Sicogon as major destinations, noted that flights were unavailable and Sicogon had closed, and said many visitors arrived through Roxas City. He suggested coordinated tourism plans and advertising across the provinces and regions connected by those destinations.

DOT FY2027 budget hearing terminated and committee hearing suspended: Rep. Julienne "Jam" L. Baronda moved to terminate the committee hearing on the proposed FY2027 Department of Tourism (DOT) budget, including its attached agencies and corporations, under House Bill No. 10858. Rep. Howard A. Guintu seconded. Presiding Rep. Marie Bernadette G. Escudero heard no objection and declared the termination motion approved. Baronda separately moved to suspend the committee hearing at Nograles Hall; Escudero said it was duly seconded and declared the hearing suspended after hearing no objection.

Secretary's closing commitment: Department of Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay thanked presiding Rep. Marie Bernadette G. Escudero and House members for their support at her first budget hearing. She committed to ensure that all requests raised during the hearing would be fulfilled by the next hearing.