THE House of Representatives terminated on Tuesday evening the plenary sponsorship and interpellation on the 2025 proposed budget of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and its attached agencies for fiscal year 2025 in the amount of P3.394-billion.
DOT budget sponsor and committee on appropriations vice chairman Rep. Faustino “Inno” Dy of Isabela said the DOT proposed budget serves as a roadmap to not only sustain but elevate the tourism sector as a cornerstone of the country’s economic growth and national pride.
“This budget is not merely a fiscal allocation but rather strategic investment in our nation’s future,” he said.
Northern Samar Rep. Paul Ruiz Daza, in his manifestation, urged the majority to consider augmenting the DOT budget.
“Should they do that, the Minority members will gladly support them. Tourism is a vertical sector for our economy. From what I recollect, the tourism sector brings in at least nine to ten percent of the GDP of our country. The DOT’s P3.3-billion proposed budget for 2025 is just one half of one percent of the proposed National Expenditure Program for 2025,” Daza said.
OFW Party-list Rep. Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino, asked about the allotment for the “Balik Bayani sa Turismo” program, which the DOT launched in partnership with the Department of Migrant Workers. She said the program serves as a government reintegration program for OFWs.
Dy answered that the program was launched in recognition of the contributions of OFWs.
“The program falls under the TISP (Training Industry Skills Program) which has a funding of about P100-million,” he said.
