Zero Funding for Tourism Roads in 2026
The government has allocated zero funding for tourism roads in 2026, the Department of Tourism (DOT) revealed during a recent Senate briefing. Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco emphasized the critical need to increase investment in the construction, rehabilitation, and expansion of tourism roads—those specifically designed to enhance access to tourist destinations.
Secretary Frasco highlighted the progress made under the current administration, citing over 700 kilometers of tourism roads constructed and rehabilitated in just three years. However, she expressed concern that the proposed 2026 budget from the Department of Public Works and Highways includes no new funds for tourism roads, which could hinder the development of emerging destinations.
Impact on Emerging Tourist Destinations
“But unfortunately, we have found that for 2026, there is zero funding for new tourism roads under the Department of Public Works and Highways,” Frasco said. She added that although there is funding for ongoing road projects, the amount may not be sufficient to ensure equal opportunities for less-developed tourist areas.
Officials noted that investing in tourism roads is vital to promote regional growth and improve visitor experiences across the country. Without adequate funding, some destinations risk being left behind in the tourism sector’s overall expansion.
Significant Budget Cuts to Intramuros Administration
Aside from the tourism roads issue, a notable budget reduction was reported for the Intramuros Administration (IA), an attached agency of the DOT. The proposed 2026 budget allocates only ₱159.3 million to IA, a 46 percent decrease from this year’s ₱296 million.
IA Administrator Joan Padilla explained that this cut stems from the absence of congressional insertions that previously boosted their budget. She clarified, “I believe, Mr. Chair, that it was because the budget initially given to us under the GAA (General Appropriations Act) of 2025 came from congressional insertions.” This was further compounded by the delay in issuing the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO), which is essential for releasing funds.
Padilla further noted, “Unfortunately, the SARO was not yet issued to us during the time of deliberation for the proposed 2026 budget. Therefore, the majority of our programs, including our tourism promotions program and the museum operations program, were not incorporated in the National Expenditure Program.” This has raised concerns among local leaders about the future of heritage preservation and tourism promotion within Intramuros.
DOT’s Slight Budget Increase for 2026
Despite these challenges, the Department of Tourism’s overall proposed budget for 2026 shows a slight increase to ₱3.19 billion from this year’s ₱3.142 billion allocation. Sources said this modest rise might help sustain ongoing projects, but questions remain about whether it will be enough to address the critical gaps in tourism infrastructure funding.
Looking Ahead: The Need for Strategic Investment
Community members and officials alike underscore the importance of prioritizing tourism roads funding to support the country’s economic recovery and tourism growth. They argue that without proper infrastructure, many promising tourist spots may struggle to attract visitors, limiting their potential benefits to local communities.
As the government finalizes the 2026 budget, stakeholders hope for a reassessment of allocations to ensure balanced development across all tourism areas, both established and emerging.
For more news and updates on tourism roads funding, visit Filipinokami.com.
