The country’s legislature has earmarked the amount under the 2018 national budget, which was already approved by President Rodrigo Duterte.
The Philippine government will be pumping US$680 million into tourism this year for infrastructure, training, and other incentives in a bid to sustain the industry’s growth.
The country’s legislature has earmarked the amount under the 2018 national budget, which was already approved by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Of the allocation, US$640 million is programmed for the “Tourism Road Infrastructure Program.” The programme focuses on access roads leading to tourism zones and areas to boost access to tourist establishments.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) is spending US$3.2 million for industry training, and US$2.48 million for “standards development and enforcement” that is expected to benefit owners and operators of hotels, resorts, restaurants and other establishments catering to tourists.
But other government agencies are also getting funds for programmes and projects that are considered pro-tourism.
These agencies include the Department of Trade and Industry for its Negosyo (business) Centers, with an allocation of US$10.3 million, and another US$4 million for shared service facilities, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources with a budget of US$55.7 million for a “National Greening Program.”