Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go expressed full support for the proposed budget of the Department of Tourism (DOT), emphasizing tourism’s crucial role in economic recovery, job creation, and the promotion of Filipino culture and natural beauty.
Speaking at the Senate budget hearing for the DOT on Thursday, September 25, Go called the tourism sector a source of national pride and a key economic driver.
“Tourism significantly boosts our economy and showcases the best of our culture, traditions, and destinations. It is truly a source of pride for the Philippines,” said Go, who serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee and is a member of the Senate Committee on Tourism.
Reflecting on his personal travels, Go spoke admiringly of the country’s diverse landscapes.
“Napakaganda po ng Pilipinas. Halos naikot ko na ang buong bansa — mula Batanes, Samar, Palawan, hanggang Mindanao. Talagang napakaganda,” he shared.
He noted that the country is now recovering from the pandemic and ready to welcome more tourists, both local and international.
Go also praised the DOT’s promotional campaigns and commended the agency’s creative efforts to revive tourism, particularly through events that attract global attention.
Sports Tourism as an Economic Catalyst
As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, Go underscored the growing potential of sports tourism, citing the successful hosting of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
“That event brought many basketball players and fans to the Philippines, including NBA superstars. It was a boost to both our economy and global visibility,” he said.
He also mentioned the ongoing FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship, which continues to draw international visitors, and asked DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco about plans to strengthen this sector.
Frasco responded that sports tourism is a priority for the DOT. She highlighted the establishment of the Office of Film and Sports Tourism, which supports major events through promotions, cultural activities, airport assistance, and volunteer training.
She also pointed to the DOT’s support for other sports-related events, such as surfing competitions, running events, and marathons. Preparations are underway for the upcoming FIFA Women’s Futsal World Championship.
Frasco confirmed ongoing coordination with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and said a Memorandum of Agreement is in the works to form an inter-agency task force to strengthen future efforts.
Job Creation and MSME Support
Go further highlighted the economic contributions of tourism, citing reports that the sector contributes 8.9% to GDP and supports over 6.7 million jobs.
“The DOT offers training and loan programs for small businesses. Ilan na po ang natutulungan natin dito, Madam Secretary?” he asked.
Frasco cited Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data showing that tourism generates between 9 to 16.5 million direct and indirect jobs annually. She outlined several inter-agency initiatives:
• With DOLE: “Turismo Asenso” job fairs
• With TESDA: Tourism-related skills training
• With DSWD: Support for community-based tourism groups under the Sustainable Livelihood Program
• With DMW: Capital and training support for returning OFWs
• With DTI and SB Corp: Low-interest loans (P3 million to P20 million) for tourism-related MSMEs
Over 345,000 workers have also been trained under the “Filipino Brand Service Excellence” program via the DOT’s Office of Human Capital Development.
High Domestic Airfares: A Growing Concern
Before concluding, Go raised the issue of high domestic airfare prices, saying that local flights often cost more than international ones.
“Is the DOT doing anything about this? What coordination has been made with the Department of Transportation (DOTr)?” he asked.
Frasco said the DOT raised concerns in a previous meeting with airlines, led by then-DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon. As a result, some ticket pricing categories were removed, and Philippine Airlines capped fares to Siargao, although this still needs verification.
She explained that runway limitations drive up costs, as smaller airports cannot accommodate larger, more cost-efficient aircraft. To address this, the DOT has urged the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) to publish a monthly airline ticket price index and requested the DOTr to improve infrastructure by extending runways and upgrading terminals.
Full Support for DOT
In closing, Go welcomed the DOT’s efforts and updates, urging swift action to implement solutions. He reaffirmed his strong support for the agency’s budget and initiatives.
