Commentary
Statement of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco
Apparently, voicing support for my husband’s independent stance in the House has made me fair game for attacks by certain Congressmen.
Let’s talk about performance.
In 2024, Congress slashed the Department of Tourism’s promotions budget by 83%—from ₱1.2 billion to just ₱200 million. In 2025, they cut it again to a mere ₱100 million.
We concur with what the gentleman from the Tingog Partylist said, “Tourism should be one of the country’s most powerful tools for regional development and inclusive growth”.
This prompts us to ask Representatives Acidre and Ortega: “Why does Congress continue to cut the budget of an industry that not only creates millions of jobs but also contributes trillions to our economy?”
We remind you that with just ₱200 million, tourism generated ₱3.86 trillion in international and domestic visitor receipts. Tourism employed 6.75 million Filipinos, and nearly 10 million Filipinos more in indirect and induced opportunities.
That’s a return of over 1,900,000%. Trillions generated. Millions employed.
No ghosts. No waste. Just results.
With that same limited budget, we welcomed 5.95 million foreign tourists, competing against neighboring countries with multi-million dollar marketing allocations.
Congress holds the power of the purse. But when that power is used to defund and punish a top economic driver like tourism, it directly harms our country and our people.
To quote the President’s SONA: Mahiya naman kayo.
