MANILA, Philippines - The government’s spending for tourism-related infrastructure projects could reach P70 billion by 2016, higher than earlier estimate of P63 billion, the country’s top tourism official said.
Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. said the government has identified more than 200 priority tourism road projects with an estimated funding requirement of P53.4 billion to be included in the Department of Tourism-Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Convergence Program.
As of May 25, official data showed that of the P53.4 billion, some P25.34 billion has been released.
Most of the projects are geared toward the improvement of connectivity infrastructure (road, airports and ports) leading to priority tourist destinations throughout the country.
The DOT estimates that it would require approximately P63.13 billion to implement a sustainable tourism destination infrastructure program by 2016. Some P29 billion of these will be spent in 2013 and 2014.
In addition, the DOTC allocated P5.01 billion for the development of ports and airports in key tourist destinations in 2013.
The government is likewise strengthening the aviation industry, cognizant of its vital role in facilitating not only tourism but also trade and industry.
President Aquino signed RA 10378 last March, which rationalized the taxes imposed on foreign carriers (air and shipping).
The law aims to address the clamor of the airline industry for equal tax treatments between local and foreign air carriers and encourage the re-entry of aviation players that have left the country in the past due to unequal tax treatment.
The government, through the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and DOTC, also instituted reforms to align Philippine air safety standards and practices with those of international organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
These reforms resulted in the lifting of the Significant Safety Concerns (SSC) on Philippine civil aviation in March 2013 and the lifting of the EU ban on Philippine Airlines on July 2013.