Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said Thursday that the timing of criticisms against the Department of Tourism (DoT) by two lawmakers is “suspicious,” suggesting it may be linked to her husband’s recent move to declare independence from the House majority bloc.

La Union 1st District Representative Paolo Ortega V and Tingog Party-list Representative Jude Acidre earlier criticized the DoT for its supposed underperformance, including its failure to significantly boost foreign tourist arrivals, tourism revenues, and workforce generation in the sector.

In a press conference in Makati City, Frasco said the department is proposing a P3.1-billion budget for 2026 to support the Office of the Secretary and regional offices, excluding the P400 million requested by its attached agencies. Of that, P500 million will be allocated for branding and promotional activities.

“I certainly hope not. But the timing of the remarks that were broadcast by the good gentlemen from the House of Representatives, namely Acidre and Ortega, is quite suspect, considering that my husband, Cong. Duke Frasco, declared his stand as an independent member of the House of Representatives only a day before their remarks,” Frasco said.

Representative Duke Frasco, during the speakership vote on Monday, abstained and declared himself an independent member of the House, saying his decision was “grounded not in political convenience, but in principle and in my view of what the institution urgently needs: leadership that restores public trust, upholds the integrity of Congress, and reinforces the President’s priorities with urgency and purpose.”

The tourism chief said the department is not taking the criticisms personally but urged lawmakers to be mindful of the numbers before making public statements that could impact the industry.

“When you say that the sector is not delivering, you’re talking about over 6 million Filipinos working in the tourism industry, and nearly 10 million more stakeholders across the nation. That statement is a judgment on the service and sacrifice of tourism workers all over the nation. And I strongly disagree that the sector has not delivered, for it has, despite the very meager budget given for tourism promotions,” she said.

Budget woes

Frasco noted the DoT is requesting P500 million for 2026 tourism branding and promotion, but warned the budget could again be in jeopardy due to political wrangling in Congress.

In 2024, the department’s promotions budget was slashed by 83 percent — from P1.2 billion to just P200 million. For 2025, the request was further cut to only P100 million.

“And therefore, if we are to make commentaries on performance, we must examine the whole plethora of facts. And as things stand, with only P100 million in promotions for 2025, it is extremely difficult to allow the Philippines a fighting chance as far as its competitors,” Frasco said.

She said the DoT has sought a P400-million budget augmentation from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to fund international promotions. The proposal remains pending with the Department of Budget and Management.

Still, Frasco expressed optimism that the department’s proposed budget will be approved in Congress.

“I think if we limit our appreciation of the proposals to the facts and not take politics into account, then we are confident that our budget will be approved,” she said.

Tourism numbers improving

As of 30 June, the country has recorded 3,473,726 international arrivals, 90.86 percent of whom are foreigners, with the rest being overseas Filipinos. From January to May, the Philippines logged $4.2 billion or P242 billion in estimated tourism receipts, DoT data showed.

Asked whether the DoT will exceed 2024’s tourism numbers, Frasco said weather disturbances must be factored in.

“We have to be realistic about the prospects. For one, all of us experience severe weather systems one after the other. PAGASA said there are 12 more severe weather systems coming into the country. These climate incidents also affect the prospects as a destination of choice. But the DoT will continue to champion Philippine tourism notwithstanding the difficulties that it is facing. This will be through our aggressive promotions across jurisdictions all over the world,” she said.

Frasco added the DoT is reassessing the National Tourism Development Plan in consultation with industry stakeholders to address short- and medium-term needs.

“In terms of the targets, it’s, at present, being recalibrated because the challenges come day to day as well,” she said.