Northern samar: A lawmaker in Northern Samar is pushing for the transfer of the Tourism Road Infrastructure Program (TRIP) implementation to the Department of Tourism (DOT) while the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is embroiled in corruption issues. Northern Samar 2nd District Rep. Edwin Ongchuan stated that tourism development must be backed with infrastructure that directly responds to the needs of the sector.
According to Philippines News Agency, Ongchuan emphasized that placing TRIP under DOT would ensure better alignment with tourism priorities, improve access to destinations, and guarantee that infrastructure development directly supports the growth of the tourism industry. The program, originally launched in 2012, is a convergence between the DOT and DPWH, where the DOT identifies tourist destinations needing better access, and the DPWH handles the construction and improvement of roads and bridges.
For 2025, roads and bridges leading to tourist destinations received an allocation of PHP6.4 billion, a decrease from the PHP15.2 billion budget in 2024. Ongchuan’s advocacy for enhancing tourism infrastructure aligns with his broader legislative agenda. He recently introduced House Bill No. 605, aimed at designating the Pinusilan Blue Lagoon as an official ecotourism site, with plans to transform this underdeveloped natural attraction in Mapanas, Northern Samar into a sustainable site that highlights regional beauty, empowers local communities, and protects biodiversity.
The DOT has proposed a budget of PHP3.718 billion for 2026, with PHP3.19 billion allocated for the Office of the Secretary. Data indicated that in 2024, the tourism industry generated approximately PHP3.86 trillion in internal expenditure, contributing 8.9 percent to the gross domestic product, marking a 13.12 percent increase from 2023.