DOT coordinating with other agencies on expensive domestic travel

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu - Tourism Secretary Cristina Frasco on Wednesday ensured that coordination with other agencies are ongoing to address concerns on expensive domestic travels.

Speaking to reporters, Frasco said the Department of Tourism (DOT) has discussed the matter with the Department of Transportation.

“Sa pagkakaalam ko ‘yung chief na concern is the high price of airfare and that is why nakipagugnayan na rin po tayo sa Department of Transportation dahil sila naman po ‘yung primary agency na may mandato to determine the transport of the country,” Frasco said. 

(As far as I know, the chief concern is the high price of airfare and that is why we have also contacted the Department of Transportation because they are the primary agency with the mandate to determine the transport of the country.)

She said the DOT has also coordinated with the Civil Aeronautics Board.

“Nirelay po natin ‘yung concerns ng ating mga kababayan, medyo mayroon nga pong mga destinations na medyo mahal ‘yung airfare,” Frasco said. 

(We have relayed the concerns of our countrymen, there are some destinations where airfare is quite expensive.)

The DOT proposed having a monthly publication of price index of airfares, noting that the guidelines on these should be clear and transparent.

Frasco, however, said not all destinations in the Philippines are expensive, mentioning the province of Cebu.

Earlier, television host Bianca Gonzalez took to social media to air her frustrations about the high cost of domestic travel in the Philippines compared to flying abroad.

Her post was met with mixed reactions, with some netizens saying they could relate with Bianca, while others pointing out only certain Philippine tourist spots are expensive.

Meanwhile, when it comes to travel tax, Frasco said this could also be beneficial as a portion of this is allocated for tourism infrastructure.

Last year, Senator Erwin Tulfo filed a bill seeking to abolish the travel tax, saying it hinders the public’s right to travel. — BAP, GMA Integrated News