House Committee on Tourism Vice Chair Gil “Kabarangay Jr.” Acosta of Palawan on Saturday called for a congressional review of travel tax collections and their utilization, citing concerns over how the funds have impacted tourism development, particularly in the provinces.
“Yes, definitely we have to review in Congress where travel tax collections went, especially pre-pandemic. From 2020 to 2023, there were hardly any collections due to outbound travel restrictions, so we need to look back and assess whether the funds were properly used, where they went, and what impact they had on the tourism industry,” Acosta said during the Saturday Media Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City.
“That is something Congress needs to examine closely. It is a broad issue that warrants thorough review,” he added.
The lawmaker noted that travel tax collections average between P4 billion and P5 billion annually, with proceeds allocated to the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the cultural sector.
He said the proposed inquiry should cover both pre-pandemic and post-pandemic periods to determine whether the funds were properly spent and whether they translated into tangible improvements in tourism facilities and services.
Acosta also underscored the need for stronger inter-agency coordination, pointing to delays and bottlenecks in infrastructure projects.
“This is something that government agencies need to discuss seriously. There are instances when projects stall because DPWH projects do not have an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC),” Acosta said. “Before proposing a project, the ECC should already be secured. If you are part of government, you should be the first to comply with the rules.”
He said these concerns should be among the key issues lawmakers examine in upcoming sessions of Congress.
Speaking specifically about Palawan, Acosta acknowledged the Department of Tourism’s efforts but said infrastructure support remains insufficient for a province consistently promoted as a premier island destination.
“In fairness to the Department of Tourism, I can speak for my province. There are two tourism comfort room facilities—one in the north and one in the south. They are good, but there are only two,” he said.
Acosta stressed that the scale of investment falls short of what is needed.
“There really has to be significant investment,” he said. “For example, when tourists go to Palawan, many think El Nido is just 30 minutes from Puerto Princesa. But it’s not—it’s almost four hours, or even five if traffic is heavy.”
For Acosta, the gap between Palawan’s tourism potential and the current state of its facilities highlights the need to revisit how travel tax funds are allocated and whether they are reaching destinations that need them most.
He said the House Committee on Tourism intends to closely examine these issues to ensure that revenues collected in the name of tourism genuinely support infrastructure development, accessibility, and the industry’s long-term growth.