The Department of Budget Management (DBM) said that a P17.689 billion fund was allocated as the national budget for the Tourism Road Infrastructure Program (TRIP) under the 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
This was P602 million higher than the P17.087 billion allocated last year.
"President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been very consistent with his pronouncements that infrastructure development is a priority under this administration," Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said.
The budget for TRIP will cover the construction, reconstruction, upgrade, and improve the roads and bridges that connect designated tourist areas
"And so we, at DBM, shall do all we can to support the realization of this objective. And so we ensured that various infrastructure projects nationwide are allocated with necessary funds to support the Build, Better, More program," she added.
Pangandaman also underlined the importance of transport infrastructure for tourism.
"Mobility and connectivity are vital components in tourism development. The Philippines has so many majestic places. But how will we attract tourists if there is no transport infrastructure in place to get them to these destinations with ease?" the secretary continued.
The P17.689 will be distributed in different tourism infrastructure projects in several areas including Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas.
