The Department of Tourism (DoT) on Monday assured that Philippine tourist destinations, particularly Boracay, remain safe for domestic and international tourists.

The declaration came amid the ‘isolated’ case that occurred in Boracay Island recently, which claimed the life of a Slovak woman who was allegedly kidnapped, raped, and killed by drug addicts, and the travel advisory released by the Australian Embassy for their citizens this month.

“We continue to work with the Australian government and our tourism stakeholders to ensure the interest of Australian visitors is sustained. We are working very hard on the quality of tourism in the Philippines, tourism safety, as well as ease of convenience and accessibility. We urge the Australian government to continue its partnership with us for them to rationalize their travel advisory,” said Tourism Secretary Cristina Garcia in a media interview on the sidelines of the signing of the Joint Administrative Order between the DoT and the Commission on Higher Education on the Guidelines on the Utilization of the Higher Education Development at the National Museum in Manila.

Frasco said Australians visiting the country continue to grow, averaging a 22 percent increase in foreign tourist arrivals month-on-month compared to 2024.

Australia earlier warned of a "high degree of caution" across the country, citing threats of terrorism and violent crimes.

"There's an increased risk of demonstrations and civil unrest following recent events. Avoid protests and large gatherings as they may turn violent," the advisory stated.

It also warned of potential disruptions to transport and essential services, advising travelers to monitor the media and follow local authorities’ guidance.

Concerning the slain Slovak, Frasco maintained that the death of the foreign tourist was isolated, and they are unceasingly coordinating with law enforcement agencies, such as the Philippine National Police, to ensure that “Boracay is a safe destination that continues to be beloved by local and international tourists.”

One of the three persons of interest in the killing of Slovak Michaela Mickova admitted that the other two suspects molested and killed the victim, the Malay-PNP said last week.

The said suspect was arrested in an anti-drug operation on 14 March, or two days after Mickova’s body was found in an abandoned chapel in Barangay Balabag.

Despite this, Frasco noted that they are optimistic about the summer season in the Philippines, with notable tourist destinations such as Palawan, Cebu, Siargao, and Bohol remaining the top choices not only for international but also domestic tourists.

JAO with CHEd

Meanwhile, the DoT, its construction arm Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), and the Commission on Higher Education sealed the JAO to ensure that travel tax collections being remitted by TIEZA to CHEd are being utilized to enhance tourism, education, and cultural development under the Tourism Act of 2009.

Under the mandate of the said act, travel tax collections are shared among key agencies to support national development initiatives, with 50 percent going to TIEZA, 40 percent going to CHEd, and 10 percent to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

TIEZA Assistant Chief Operating Officer Karen Mae Sarinas-Baydo reported that TIEZA remitted a total of P17.5 billion to CHEd from its 2015 to 2024 travel taxes.

“What the signing of the JAO will do is ensure that we implement measures of transparency and accountability for the utilization of the 40 percent share of CHEd in travel taxes remitted by our fellow Filipinos to TIEZA. What Filipinos can expect is more support in terms of investing in tourism education facilities, tourism education infrastructure, investments in human capital development and training, as well as capacity building and tourism and hospitality management courses and entrepreneurship that are tourism-related,” Frasco explained.

Moreover, she said CHEd has the reportorial responsibility to ensure that the funds given to them are well-utilized to continuously elevate the education and upskilling of players and stakeholders in the tourism sector.