President Marcos’ Local and Foreign Trips Budget Overview
The proposed budget for President Marcos’ local and foreign trips in 2026 shows a significant reduction but still surpasses P1 billion. According to officials, the Office of the President (OP) has requested P1.018 billion for state visits and missions, marking a 21 percent decrease from the P1.2 billion allocated in 2025.
Despite the cut, community members noted that the budget remains substantial, reflecting the president’s active travel schedule. This funding request is included in the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) and is expected to be approved, as lawmakers often follow parliamentary courtesy when deliberating on the OP’s budget.
Justifications for the Travel Budget
Palace officials explained that President Marcos’ local and foreign trips budget is essential for his frequent visits to communities nationwide. “The President always go down to the communities to check the security and monitor what is happening in different parts of the country, especially when there’s flooding and other calamities,” a spokesperson said during a recent briefing.
Additionally, the president’s travels aim to boost foreign investments. “You can also see the president’s frequent travels, as he encourages other countries to invest in our country,” the official added, highlighting the economic goals behind the trips.
Comparing Travel Budgets: Marcos vs. Duterte
If the current proposal is approved, President Marcos’ local and foreign trips budget over four years will exceed that of former President Duterte’s entire six-year term. Local leaders reported that from 2023 to 2026, Marcos’ travel expenses will total approximately P4.6 billion, while Duterte’s allocation from 2017 to 2022 was around P4 billion.
This comparison underscores the president’s active domestic and international engagement since assuming office in 2022.
Recent Foreign Trips and Outcomes
President Marcos recently completed his 36th foreign trip with a state visit to India from August 4 to 8. Sources said this visit generated actual direct investments worth $446 million and potential investments up to $5.8 billion, spanning sectors such as digital infrastructure, renewable energy, healthcare, manufacturing, information technology, and business process management.
The agreements signed during this visit are expected to create over 4,000 direct jobs and provide digital skills training to more than 26,000 Filipinos by 2026, officials reported.
Job Creation and Investment Impact
In February, government representatives noted that President Marcos’ foreign trips have helped create more than 200,000 jobs. The first sectors benefiting include power, renewable energy, and electronics manufacturing. Approximately 201 investment-led projects valued at over $76 billion have been generated from these overseas visits since 2022.
These figures highlight the significant economic impact tied to the president’s local and foreign trips budget, which supports efforts to attract investments and improve livelihoods across the Philippines.
For more news and updates on President Marcos’ local and foreign trips budget, visit Filipinokami.com.
