August 1, 2025 l Manila Times
Tourism is a major pillar of the Philippine economy, contributing 8.9 percent to gross domestic product in 2024, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. It directly employs 6.8 million Filipinos, or 13.8 percent of the national workforce, with another 10 million performing indirect jobs among its sectors.
At his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the Departments of Labor and Employment, Trade and Industry, Social Welfare and Development, and Tourism itself to help hire the 4.1 percent of unemployed Filipinos.
At a post-SONA forum in San Juan City with other Cabinet officials, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said Marcos’ directive to create more tourism-related employment opportunities is in line with the increasing number of foreign and local tourists in the country.
Combined spending of domestic and international visitors totaled P3.9 trillion last year, Frasco noted.
One of the DOT’s flagship projects is building 100 tourist rest areas (TRAs) across the archipelago in collaboration with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza). Remember the times when one had to look for an eatery or a gas station, hoping they have functioning restrooms? TRAs will provide the solution.
Strategically located in key provinces, the TRAs will offer clean, accessible, and comfortable facilities to travelers. More than just a hygienic stop for motorists, each TRA is a place to stretch and rest from the rigors of travel.
Information counters are available to assist tourists with directions and recommendations to enhance the travel experience.
There will also be coffee shops and pasalubong stalls — the latter offering local crafts by community artisans.
As of June, TRAs have been inaugurated and turned over to local government units in Palawan, Bohol, Cebu, Bukidnon, Davao del Norte, and Ilocos Norte.
More will be operational this year in Negros Occidental, Iloilo, Antique, Leyte, Misamis Oriental, and Sultan Kudarat.
NAIA rehab
Weeks before the SONA, Marcos inspected the progress of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s (NAIA) rehabilitation by the San Miguel-led consortium, New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC). The P170 billion modernization of the country’s main gateway is the largest public-private partnership (PPP) project of the administration.
Upgrades have so far consisted of rapid passenger processing corridors and electronic gates. Yet, even with these visible improvements, the PPP proponents should look at the bigger picture beyond merely easing passenger lines or upgrading facilities.
Although airport efficiency is very important, it is equally vital to recognize that the renovation plan should include innovative border control solutions to protect the country’s sovereignty and prevent transnational crimes.
Foreigners with unclear intentions and unverified identities manage to enter the Philippines on a daily basis, and some disappear without a trace.
What our ports of entry should be equipped with are real-time biometric screening, passenger risk assessments, and AI-enabled analysis to catch dubious travel patterns. These technologies are already being used in many transport hubs worldwide.
While continuing to modernize NAIA by installing intelligent border systems, the government should also equip regional airports and seaports with these advanced technologies. Let’s make sure that all our borders are as secure and sovereign as the Filipino people deserve to have.
***The views expressed herein are his own and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of his office as well as FINEX. For comments, email nextgenmedia@gmail.com. Photo is from Pinterest.