By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Loren Legarda has expressed her willingness to make changes to the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) projected budget for 2025 to promote tourism infrastructure projects, such as building new roads and bridges that connect the nation’s tourist destinations.
This statement follows the revelation from Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco that no funds have been allocated for new tourist routes in 2025.
Frasco noted that the total funding for the DOT’s Tourism Road Infrastructure Program (TRIP) in collaboration with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was P15.1 billion in 2024. However, for 2025, the budget has been reduced to P6.38 billion, which will only cover ongoing TRIP projects.
Legarda also learned that the DPWH aims to focus on its core mandate due to its limited fiscal space.
“Why are they discriminating against the DOT? If the DOT drives the local and domestic economy, why not? It creates thousands of jobs, etc.,” Legarda questioned during the continuation of the Finance Subcommittee G briefing on the DOT’s proposed P3.394 billion budget on Tuesday (15 Oct 2024).
“So, let’s look into this because I can amend it with a special provision if the Department of Budget and Management allows,” she added.
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