House Deputy Speaker and La Union 1st District Rep. Paolo Ortega V on Tuesday urged the Department of Tourism (DOT) to show clear results in job creation and local economic growth, saying the agency has failed to deliver despite massive funding and widespread promotions.
Ortega said that while President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has set a clear direction for performance and accountability across government, the Tourism Department still has much to prove, especially after a series of storms brought Yolanda-like devastation to La Union and other tourism hubs.
“La Union, or Elyu as many know it, is driven by tourism and agriculture. But after enduring severe weather disturbances, our people are struggling to get back on their feet. They need work, not just words. The DOT must deliver results that reach local communities,” Ortega said.
He noted that the DOT’s absence from the President’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) signals the need for the agency to step up and demonstrate measurable progress aligned with the national recovery effort.
“President Bongbong Marcos has made performance the standard. Agencies must do more than promote. They must produce. Tourism must help revive local economies and create sustainable jobs,” Ortega said.
Despite aggressive international promotions and a costly rebranding campaign, the Philippines continues to lag behind its ASEAN neighbors in tourist arrivals and post-pandemic recovery.
In 2024, the country recorded only 5.95 million tourist arrivals, well below the prepandemic high of 8.26 million in 2019.
In contrast, Thailand welcomed 35.5 million visitors, Malaysia 25 million, Vietnam 15.5 million, Indonesia 13.9 million, and Cambodia 6.7 million.
The Philippines also trailed in tourism receipts. While the Tourism Department reported earnings of P760.5 billion (roughly $13.1 billion) last year, Thailand brought in more than $39 billion, and Vietnam around $16 billion.
“These numbers tell a story. We are attracting fewer tourists, and those who do come are spending less… That’s a red flag for millions of Filipino workers who depend on tourism, especially in the provinces,” Ortega said.
Tourism accounts for nearly 9 percent of the country’s gross domestic product and supports more than 5 million jobs.
Ortega warned that unless the DOT delivers measurable, localized results, the sector’s recovery will remain uneven and incomplete.
“This is no longer just a tourism issue. It’s an economic justice issue… We in the provinces cannot be an afterthought. Every peso must count. Every program must deliver,” Ortega said.
He has since urged Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco to revisit the agency’s strategy and ensure that recovery efforts benefit small businesses, local workers, and communities most in need.
“Our people are doing their part. It’s time for the DOT to do the same. We don’t need more ribbon cuttings. We need action, we need results, and we need them now,” Ortega concluded.
