Philippines

The island town of Patnanungan in Quezon province is facing reduced power hours for 5 days due to the reduction of its local power plant’s operating hours, as it waits for a new shipment of fuel from the mainland

President Marcos Jr. said the Philippines will “reopen the importation and buying of coal so that our power plants do not run short of fuel, and to ensure that our power supply remains sufficient” amid the energy crisis

The President announced that the price for basic commodities will remain the same, as the supply for food, rice, and all basic goods is “good”. However, the situation remains uncertain due to whether the conflict in the Middle East continues into H2 2026, which could increase prices. The Trade Secretary stated that the manufacturers and the industries have assured that there will be no price increase for necessities and commodities for the next 30 days. She asked the people not to panic or hoard commodities

Central Visayas’ MICE sector is growing as various events have been held or are slated to be held in 2026: Cebu hosted the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat and the ASEAN Tourism Forum Panglao, Bohol, hosted the First ASEAN Senior Economic Officials’ Meeting 11th International Travel Festival at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel, from 13-15 Mar The Sports Tourism Forum Cebu at Nustar Resort Hotel, 18 Mar The Sinag Liga Asya Junior World Showcase, Jul Build Better 2026 and the Bjorn Again ABBA Concert Tour, Aug The Asian Carriers Conference, Sep

The Bangsamoro Darul-Ifta announced that Eid’l Fitr will be celebrated on 21 Mar in the Philippines

Thousands of jeepney drivers protested a more than doubling of local diesel prices related to the global oil price surge due to the Middle East conflict. The leader of the transport group leading the national strike said the government’s measures of shortening the work week and providing fuel subsidies, as well as granting the President emergency powers to suspend or reduce fuel taxes, are not enough. He called for the repeal of a law that abolished the government of its authority to control fuel prices

The Philippine President and the Bhutan PM expressed commitment to strengthen tourism, trade, investment, and cultural relations during a historic first meeting at Malacañang Palace in Manila

The Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary announced they are in the process of acquiring 2 million barrels of fuel, to add 10 additional days of buffer stock of fuel. He said the supply could arrive by this week. The Philippines consumes an estimated 200,000 barrels per day, and the additional purchase would extend the buffer to up to 70 days. DOF said suspension of fuel tax from May could reduce the revenue by 136 million PHP

The President rolled back the previously announced fare hike for public transportation, which was announced on 17 Mar, stating that now was not the right time to increase fares, and asking the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to offer free rides all over the country. However, which forms of public transport would be offered for free was not specified. The DOTr announced the suspension of the fare hikes

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) approved fare increases for all modes of land public transportation due to an increase in fuel costs driven by the conflict in the Middle East. The Department of Energy (DOE) warned that diesel prices could reach 95-114 PHP per litre from 17 Mar. Brent crude has increased by 50% since the beginning of 2026, breaching $100 per barrel, the highest since Sep 2023. Under the new adjustments, the minimum fares for: Traditional jeepneys increased from 13 PHP to 14 PHP, and the per km rate increased from 1.80 PHP to 2 PHP Modern jeepneys’ fares will increase from 15 PHP to 17 PHP, with a per-km rate increase from 10 cents to 2.30 PHP For buses in Manila and other cities, the minimum fare will increase from 13 PHP to 15 PHP for the first 4km, with per-km charge increasing from 2.25 PHP to 2.49 PHP Air-conditioned city bus fares will increase from 15 PHP to 18 PHP for the first 5km, while the per-km rate will increase from 2.65 PHP to 2.98 PHP Provincial ordinary buses will increase by 1 PHP for the first 5km, 30 cents for ordinary buses (1.90 PHP to 2.20 PHP), 35 cents for air-conditioned deluxe and super deluxe buses (2.10 PHP to 2.45 PHP), and 45 cents for luxury buses (2.90 PHP to P3.35 PHP) Airport taxi fares will increase from 75 PHP to 115 PHP LTFRB is still considering a petition to increase fares for ordinary taxis and UV Express Overall, the adjustments reflect a 19% increase in fares across all regions

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) asked Local Government Units (LGUs) to adopt energy and fuel conservation measures, including implementing a 4-day work week or designating a work-from-home day. DILG asked LGUs to cut electricity and fuel consumption by 10%-20%. DILG also asked the officials to travel only for essential functions

The PHP reached 60.4 PHP against USD on 18 Mar, its weakest on record. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will monitor the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on the Philippines’ inflation and economy ahead of the policy meeting on 23 Apr

During AHICE Southeast Asia, which was held in Singapore, JLL Senior Vice-President for Advisory in Asia noted a shift in growth sectors in luxury hospitality from Singapore and Bangkok to emerging markets in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Hyatt Hotels Corporation’s Regional Vice-President for Development in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines said luxury travel is resilient and a prime segment for industrial growth. He added that they are seeing rapid growth in travellers from within and outside Asia. Mordor Intelligence reports the luxury Asia Pacific hotel market will generate around $37 billion USD in revenues by the end of 2026, up from $34 billion USD in 2025, and revenue will reach $58 billion USD over the next 5 years. 60% of Hyatt’s portfolio in the Asia Pacific is in the luxury premium segment, and they plan to open 90 luxury lifestyle properties. Vice-President for Development in Southeast Asia and Korea for IHG Hotels & Resorts said that based on statistics, 80% of luxury travellers are going to be millennials, Gen Z, or Gen Alpha by 2030

A government 5,000 PHP subsidy was distributed to tricycle drivers in Manila, as a temporary relief from the increase in fuel prices. Some drivers said their daily earnings dropped from 1,000 PHP to just 500 PHP. The drivers also requested to remove the fuel tax completely if possible, or reduce it by 50% >>

Tourism stakeholders expressed concern over no official signing of a document to appoint the Undersecretary for Tourism Development Planning as Officer-in-Charge for the Department of Tourism. The Philippine Hotel Owners Association President expressed worry about the lack of an immediate appointment to replace the DOT Secretary. The Palace Press Officer said there are no discussions on the replacement, and asked everyone to wait for a few weeks

IHG Hotels & Resorts is scheduled to open the 212-room InterContinental Manila in 2032

More than 180 Filipinos in Lebanon requested assistance to be repatriated, as Israel has intensified military operations in south Lebanon. The Philippines Embassy in Lebanon reported that 167 Filipino workers and 14 overseas Filipinos with families registered for voluntary repatriation. Many Filipinos living in Lebanon have moved to the northern region following the conflict. 14,000 Filipinos are living in Lebanon

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement (PCHM) will host the Buwan ng Kalutong Filipino 2026 in Apr to celebrate Filipino Food Month under the theme, “Connected by Taste: Filipino Food in the Flavors of Asean”

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will likely cut its GDP forecast for the Philippines. ADP earlier estimated a 5.3% growth forecast for 2026. The ADB Chief Economist said that the conflict in the Middle East has trimmed 0.1% off Southeast Asia’s GDP growth

Pulse Asia Research’s Ulat ng Bayan survey shows 59% of Filipinos are concerned about inflation, while 47% want corruption addressed. 36% ranked workers' pay as their top concern, followed by reducing poverty, creating more jobs, and fighting the sale and use of illegal drugs at 21%. 17% want criminal activities to be addressed, 14% helping farmers, 11% enforcing the rules, 10% addressing involuntary hunger, 9% protecting the environment, and 9% promoting peace. The government’s efforts to protect overseas Filipino workers received a 53% approval rating. 73% of Filipino adults are critical of the government over their handling of inflation control, poverty reduction, corruption, and the widespread sale and use of illegal drugs

SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation (SMHCC) will expand its portfolio in Q4 2026 with the opening of 3 new SMX Trade Halls in Cabanatuan, Santo Tomas, and Santa Rosa

The President asked the Department of Tourism (DOT) to improve the tourism sector to close the huge gap with other countries in the region. He inaugurated the Mactan Expo Centre, which will host the ASEAN Summit in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. The second ASEAN Summit will be held at the Philippine International Convention Centre in Metro Manila in Nov

The House of Representatives has approved the final reading of the bill, which allows the President to use his authority to cut or suspend excise taxes on petroleum products. The order can be triggered if the average Dubai crude oil price exceeds $80 USD per barrel for one month immediately before the suspension or reduction order or when the President declares a state of national emergency or calamity, which could increase domestic pump prices of petroleum products

The Philippines proposed to transform the ASEAN Geoeconomics Task Force into a permanent regional body, called the ASEAN Geoeconomic Group. This will allow ASEAN member states to discuss policy responses and align decision-making on economic and trade issue

The Philippine government chartered a repatriation flight from the UAE on 14 Mar, carrying 442 Filipinos home, 224 of whom were overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). 1,189 OFWs are seeking repatriation from the Middle East as of 4 Mar

342 Filipinos returned to the Philippines on 15 Mar through the government’s second chartered repatriation flight from West Asia

Puerto Galera took part in the Diving Resort Travel Expo (DRT) Shanghai 2026 from 6-8 Mar in Shanghai, China

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) conducted consultations through the Protected Area Management Office to discuss policies and management strategies for the Manta Bowl, a dive site within the Ticao–Burias Pass Protected Seascape in San Jacinto. The site is popular for marine wildlife tourism and hosts reef manta rays. Research from the Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines (LAMAVE) shows that from 2004 to 2020, they identified 1,710 manta ray sightings in San Jacinto. Across the country, the researchers have identified 2,659 sightings involving 499 manta rays across 22 sites

Subic Bay welcomed a luxury cruise ship, Crystal Symphony, operated by Crystal Cruises on 14 Mar, with 550 tourists. They visited historical sites and shopping malls in Subic and Clark Freeport. Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is planning a 10.2 billion PHP cruise ship terminal to position itself as a premier cruise turnaround hub in Southeast Asia. The SBMA Tourism Department said at least 8 international cruise ships have been confirmed to visit Subic Bay in 2026, with 2 in Mar and 2 in Apr. MS Amadea, operated under charter by Phoenix Reisen, will arrive on 30 Mar, with 916 passengers, and the cruise on a 146-day trip will make stops in Manila on 31 Mar, Romblon on 1 Apr, Coron on 2 Apr, and Puerto Princesa on 3 Apr. MV Piano Land, operated by Corazul Cruceros, will arrive at Subic on 6 and 16 Apr, with 2,722 passengers and crew. Costa Serena, operated by Costa Crociere, will arrive on 25 Oct. Subic’s cruise tourism program, which was launched in 2018, brought 37 cruise liners with more than 49,000 passengers until 2019, and generated 173 million PHP in tourism receipts for Central Luzon

The 11th edition of the International Travel Festival (ITF) 2026 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino was held from 13-15 Mar under the theme “Dream. Go. Live.”

The unemployment rate in the Philippines increased to 5.8% in Jan 2026, the highest since the 6.03% rate recorded in Jun 2023. The number of unemployed people reached 2.96 million, the highest since 2022. A labour economist at Ateneo de Manila University said this data has “effectively erased four years of labour market recovery in a single year”. 6.53 million employed Filipinos are looking for additional work or longer hours to boost their income in Jan 2026, which increased from 3.93 million recorded in Dec 2025. The employment rate dropped to 94.2% (47.94 million Filipinos with jobs) in Jan 2026 from 95.6% (49.43 million) in Dec 2025. The economist said that usually unemployment will increase in Jan as the economy shifts away from the holiday season, but the Jan 2026 figure is alarmingly high. Agriculture and forestry lost 1.76 million workers, followed by wholesale and retail trade, 888,000 and construction, 199,000

The Cebu Government will hand over the organising role of the “Suroy-Suroy Sugbo” (Wander Around Cebu), its long-running tourism caravan, to the private sector. The Governor said this was part of the effort to improve partnerships with tourism stakeholders. She said this during the opening ceremony of the 11th International Travel Festival 2026 held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino on 13 Mar. She added that the Provincial Tourism Office has started to virtually map the tourism destinations, with several towns already available in immersive 360-degree online tours to help visitors explore Cebu before their trips. The government has handed the program to the Cebu Tourism Council, which has been restructured into thematic tours to accredited tour operators. The rebranded program will offer programs like Coastal Journey in the South (Adventure Tour), Highland, Island and River Journeys, Southern Pilgrimage, and the South Countryside Tour

Christina Frasco steps down as the Secretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and has been appointed as a Presidential adviser for sustainable and resilient communities. Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso will serve as the DOT Officer in Charge (OIC)

Chief economist of Security Bank Corporation warns inflation in Mar could reach 4% if Dubai crude oil continues above $100 USD per barrel

The Philippines Retirement Authority (PRA) CEO said they achieved 99% of their target in 2024, and in 2026, they recorded a 25% YoY increase. The Philippines is hosting more than 84,000 foreign retirees, with 40% from China, followed by South Korea, India, the US, and Taiwan. PRA is targeting younger and financially capable Asians, lowering the minimum retirement age to 40 from 50

The Department of Tourism (DOT-13) Regional Director said the increase in fuel costs in Mar 2026 is expected to impact maritime and air transportation operations in Caraga and across the Philippines. She added that major shipping lines cancelled trips on the Surigao City-Siargao route. Evaristo and Sons Sea Transport Corp temporarily reduced its scheduled trips to Siagao Island due to rising fuel costs. She said that, “Since island destinations in the region rely heavily on sea transport for tourism access, sustained increases in operational costs could directly affect tourist mobility, destination competitiveness, and the overall performance of the tourism sector in Caraga”. From 13 Mar, the company will operate only three morning trips from Surigao City to Dapa in Siargao Island, and two trips from Dapa to Surigao

The European Union will allocate a 125 million PHP grant under the EU-Philippine Green Economy Partnership for MSMEs. The fund will help the MSMEs to transition to eco-friendly practices. This program is part of the EU’s partnership with the Philippines, with a 3.67 billion USD to speed up the shift towards a greener economy

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects the economy of the Philippines to grow faster than that of other ASEAN countries. ASEAN economic growth is projected at 4.3%, above the global growth projection of 3.3%. IMF projects 5.6% economic growth for 2026 and 5.8% in 2027 for the Philippines

The President has certified a bill that empowers him to temporarily suspend or reduce the excise taxes on petroleum products during national or global economic emergencies. The bill was introduced following volatile global oil markets triggered by escalating tensions in the Middle East

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned certain locations in the Philippines will experience “extreme caution” heat index level on 12 Mar, reaching 33°C to 41°C, which can cause heat cramps and heat exhaustion if exposed for a long time

The Philippines, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) said increasing fuel prices could affect MSMEs, as they operate with thin margins. There are 1.2 million MSMEs in the Philippines. PCCI expressed support for the government’s measures to ease fuel costs

The House of Representatives Committee has approved a bill to suspend the fuel tax to ease the increase in oil prices due to the conflict in the Middle East

The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC) organised a forum to discuss best sustainable tourism practices and long-term strategies. Representatives from Japan, the Philippines, and Laos took part in the panel session. An Officer from the UN Tourism Regional Support Office for Asia and the Pacific gave a keynote address, and the Secretary General of the ASEAN-Japan Centre gave closing remarks

The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DepDev) warned that prolonged war in the Middle East and an increase in global oil prices up to $140 per barrel could increase inflation beyond the government target. The Department of Energy (DOE) assured that the Philippines has a sufficient fuel supply to last until Apr. DOE also said the government and the private sector are working together to prevent an increase in local pump prices

The Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary said the “Boyfriend on Demand” Netflix Korean drama, which was shot in part in Cebu, has given a global boost to Cebu. DOT Korea Office, the Office of Film and Sports Tourism, DOT Regional Office VII, local stakeholders, and airport authorities coordinated to ensure a smooth production of the show in Cebu. One of the actors in the show was serving as the Philippines’ Celebrity Tourism Ambassador. This is expected to improve Cebu’s appeal among Korean and international viewers

Romblon Provincial Tourism Office (PTO) is promoting “slow food tourism” with a focus on immersive activities to allow tourists to take part in the food preparation process, from sourcing ingredients to cooking, and tasting the food. PTO is looking for restaurants, associations, and cooperatives which are willing to offer this culinary experience to the visitors

Tourist transport operators in Bohol will adjust their service rates after a surge in fuel prices. The Bohol Confederation of Tourist Transport Providers (BCTTP), comprising 28 members, decided that following the increase in fuel costs, which has significantly affected tourist transport services in the province. BCTTP clarified that the new rates will only apply to new bookings, and the previous reservations will remain at the agreed price

The House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means has approved the unnumbered substitute measure to consolidate several proposals to abolish the travel tax. The House Committee on Appropriations will continue to deliberate on the measure

The PHP dropped to a new low of 59.7 PHP per USD on 9 Mar, following the conflict in the Middle East, which increased global energy prices

Ferry operators in the Visayas region announced they will increase their fares, impose temporary surcharges, and cancel trips following the crisis in the Middle East. FasCat, a roll-on/roll-off ferry operator, implemented an updated fare matrix for the passengers and vehicles from 6 Mar. OceanJet announced a temporary cancellation of several trips between Cebu and other nearby destinations from 6-20 Mar. Passengers may request a refund or rebook their trips. Cuadro Alas Navigation Lines Inc. will temporarily reduce its trips from 9 Mar. Roble Shipping Inc. will impose a temporary fuel surcharge from 9 Mar. Jomalia Shipping Corporation imposed a 20% fuel surcharge for its route between Danao City and Camotes Island

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will deploy 800 police officers in coordination with the Department of Tourism (DOT) in Apr to strengthen safety and security measures. The officers will be deployed to sites like Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Poblacion in Makati, Boracay, Siargao, Cebu, Bohol, and Puerto Princesa

The Department of Science and Technology-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) and the Bohol Island State University (BISU) are collaborating for a science-based conservation project of heritage structures. Under the project, historic structures across Bohol will apply advanced non-destructive testing (NDT) methods and promote sustainable conservation materials

Ferry operations in the Visayas are starting to be disrupted due to rising fuel prices. FastCat announced an updated fare matrix, noting that a 40% increase in global fuel costs will impact its operational expenses. OceanJet, another high-speed ferry operator, temporarily suspended some trips between Cebu and other destinations from 6-20 Mar due to fuel costs

Iloilo City was named as the top destination for MICE and received the Tourism Mover Award, the Model Tourist Attraction Award for its Iloilo River Esplanade, and Top Contributing LGU for Same-Day Tourist Arrivals during the Department of Tourism (DOT) 6 (Western Visayas) Pagdayaw 2025 on 5 Mar

The Philippines is looking to save on energy as conflict in the Middle East is pushing global fuel prices up. The President ordered government offices to set their aircons to no lower than 24 deg C and adopt flexible work arrangements to conserve fuel. Manila Mayor has advised the city government to cut fuel consumption by shifting meetings online, switching power off by 5pm and banning non-essential travel

The Tourism Secretary said the Department of Tourism (DOT) office in South Korea has partnered with airlines and 15 South Korean travel agencies to promote the Philippines by offering discounts for airfare and promotional packages for certain regions. The Philippines will take part in the Seoul International Travel Fair (SITF) and the Korea International Boat Show (KIBS), as well as several underwater sports expositions. In 2025, arrivals from South Korea dropped to 1.25 million, -20.5% YoY, due to concerns over personal safety

OceanJet, a fastcraft operator, announced suspension of multiple trips between Cebu and parts of Leyte and Bohol from 6 Mar, following an ongoing fuel crisis due to the conflict in the Middle East

The President announced that all government offices would switch to a 4-day working week from 9 Mar due to fuel shortages. The Philippines imports most of its crude oil from the Middle East, and uses oil-fuelled power plants to generate electricity. Government study tours and team building activities have also been banned

The Philippines participated in ITB Berlin, with a significant delegation

The 9th International Farm Tourism Conference was held on 4 Mar. The event highlighted how farm tourism can boost rural livelihoods and connect travellers with local food, culture, and landscapes. The conference was organised by the International School of Sustainable Tourism (ISST) at the Hotel Supreme Mall and Events Centre. During the event, the Farm Tourism Strategic Action Plan (FTSAP) 2026-2031, to strengthen farm-based tourism, was launched

South Korean President and the Philippines President signed 10 MoUs on 3 Mar, including on strengthening cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), nuclear energy, and defence, and cultural exchanges

Jpark Island Resort and Waterpark Mactan signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Bohol International Marathon to host the inaugural Jpark Mactan International Marathon. The early bird rate for the marathon will be offered from 7 Feb until 7 Mar. The marathon will feature 4 race categories, 42K, 21K, 10K, and 5K, with 3,000 runners expected to take part

The Finance Secretary said there are no plans to revise the Philippines’ GDP growth target in 2026, and added the outlook will be based on how far the oil price will increase and how long it stays at that price. He added that currently the oil price is at $76 to $78 USD per barrel (bbl). Economic managers assume that if the Dubai crude increases to $85 per bbl, it could cut 0.1 to 0.25 percentage points off the full-year GDP growth. The Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) projected the 2026 GDP to come in at 5% to 6%, lower than the previous target of 6% to 7%. DBCC narrowed its forecast to 5.5% to 6.5% for 2027, lower than the 6% to 7% target in 2027. The GDP is forecasted to grow at 6% to 7% in 2028

Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) have begun to prepare to release 2.5 billion PHP fuel subsidy for qualified public utility vehicles (PUV) operators if the global oil prices climb to $80 USD per barrel

The Department of Tourism (DOT) Calabarzon will fully support the new Laguna Pilgrimage Tourism initiative, focusing on promotion and marketing efforts. The program was launched in Nov 2025

The Bohol Provincial Board (PB) has approved the “Enhanced Sustainable Marine Wildlife Interaction Ordinance” to impose stricter regulations on whale sharks, dolphins, and other marine wildlife tourism in the province. The Governor suspended whale shark interactions in Lila, Alburquerque and Dauis in Feb 2025 following regulatory violations and risks to the marine ecosystem, including illegal feeding practices. The new regulations also states tourism activities should not disrupt feeding, breeding, migratory routes or habitats of whale sharks, dolphins, whales, manta rays, dugongs and marine turtles. The new regulations also states that no marine wildlife tourism activities can operate without a certificate of compliance from the Governor, Department of Tourism, Maritime Industry Authority registration, and environmental compliance certification. The operators must provide trained guides and lifeguards, insurance, and must implement online monitoring systems to manage visitors. The implementation will be overseen by a a Sustainable Wildlife Tourism Advisory Board with the Provincial Environment Management Office serving as the secretariat. Those who violate the regulations will face fines of 5,000 PHP per violation or per day, or imprisonment of up to 6 months, suspension or revocation of permits and penalties under national conservation laws

The Philippine National Police (PNP) will issue around 700 motorcycles to different units to provide security for foreign tourists

The Philippine Cyclo Tourism program was launched in Marinduque Province to offer sightseeing tours to showcase the province’s scenic routes, attractions, and unique culture. All-inclusive 3D2N bike tour packages will be offered, including transport, accommodations, meals, the use of quality mountain bikes, and a support van. The program will be held from Mar-May 2026

The Philippines Embassies in the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Jordan have told their nationals to limit their movement

Bohol will allow whale shark watching soon, but with new regulations, where a “no approach, no interaction” rule will be strictly implemented under its new Provincial Ordinance No. 2026-004 (the Enhanced Marine Wildlife Interaction Ordinance)

The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) have allocated funds for Bohol’s redevelopment, despite the plans to abolish the travel tax, the agency’s main source of revenue. TIEZA reported that its travel tax collections in 2025 were 8.7 billion PHP, 1 billion PHP higher than 2024’s

From 2000-2024, Central Visayas welcomed 31.5 million international visitors, more than the National Capital Region’s 19.6 million. Western Visayas has seen 11.9 million, Bicol 8.9 million, and Central Luzon 8.3 million. CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) saw 77.5 million domestic visitors from 2008-2024, with its close location to Metro Manila making it easy for short breaks. Bicol saw 51.7 million domestic travellers, Central Visayas 45.9 million, Central Luzon 44.2 million and Western Visayas 38.2 million

Taiwanese arrivals into the Philippines in 2025 was 213,928, +6.3$ YoY, which the DOT attributed to visa free access starting from 1 Jul 2025

The OUTDOORS7 Summit will be held from 27 Feb-1 Mar in Cebu City, organised by the DOT-7 (Central Visayas), with demonstrations, talks and an exhibition about adventure and outdoors activities

The Department of Tourism (DOT) recorded 80 million PHP in sales leads, +43% YoY, at the Salon de la Plongee Sous-Marine, dive show in Parc des Expositions, Paris, France from 8-11 Jan

The House tourism committee has approved the proposed abolition of the travel tax bill and forwarded it to the Ways and Means Panel for the draft alternative taxation mechanisms. However, concerns over funding cuts for the programs under the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) and the National Commission for the Culture and Arts (NCCA), since the collection from the tax is allocated to these agencies. CHEd Commissioner said that without identifying an alternative funding source, the fund for scholarships, research, and other benefits for around 5.4 million students in 1,906 learning institutions will be reduced. NCCA Deputy Executive Director also said they need an alternative source for funding to implement the National Endowment Fund for Culture and the Arts. The Chair of the House Committee said the panel head and the bill authors will try find other sources of funding for the affected agencies

The Philippine Hotel Owners Association (PHOA) raised concerns over the proposal to abolish travel tax, warning it could affect the domestic tourism sector’s recovery. PHOA said the tax removal at this stage could shift the focus towards overseas travel. PHOA urged that any decision to abolish the tax should focus on a comprehensive plan to outline alternative measures to sustain the growth of the tourism industry