TOURISM Secretary Christina Frasco has issued a strong rebuke of Congress for significantly reducing the Department of Tourism’s budget, asserting that the cuts directly harm the country’s economy and employment.
Frasco also claimed that her public support for her husband’s independent political stance has made her a target of attacks from certain congressmen.
The DOT’s promotional budget was slashed by 83 percent in 2024, from ₱1.2 billion to ₱200 million, and further reduced to ₱100 million in 2025.
Frasco highlighted the sector’s remarkable performance despite the drastic cuts, noting that with only ₱200 million in 2024, tourism generated ₱3.86 trillion in revenue, employed 6.75 million Filipinos directly, and supported almost 10 million indirectly.
This translates to a return on investment exceeding 1,900,000 percent. Furthermore, the Philippines welcomed 5.95 million foreign tourists, outperforming neighboring countries with significantly larger marketing budgets.
Secretary Frasco directly challenged Representatives Acidre and Ortega, questioning the rationale behind the continued budget cuts to a sector that is a major contributor to the national economy and job creation.
She echoed the sentiment of a Tingog Partylist representative who stated that tourism is a powerful tool for regional development and inclusive growth. Concluding her statement, Frasco quoted the President’s SONA: “Mahiya naman kayo” (Have some shame).
