Philippine tourism proved more resilient than raw arrival figures suggest in 2025, cushioning the economy and protecting jobs despite mounting global and domestic pressures.
Foreign tourists transiting through Manila on Philippine Airlines can now step beyond the terminal, as the Department of Tourism rolls out its Transit Tours for PAL passengers, turning long layovers into curated city experiences.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Finance (DOF) are moving to calm nerves across the travel industry, forming a technical working group (TWG) to address tax concerns triggered by a sweeping new revenue regulation.
Facing a dip in foreign visitor arrivals, the Philippines is rolling out a high-stakes tourism pitch by hosting the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) this month—using Cebu as both stage and symbol of a hoped-for rebound.
Cruise tourism in the Philippines is set to sustain its recovery momentum into 2026, buoyed by rising ship calls, policy support, and stronger regional cooperation, according to the Department of Tourism.
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development has ordered the fast-tracking of three long-stalled socialized housing projects in Caloocan City, signaling a tougher stance on project delays and construction quality under the Marcos administration’s housing drive.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is widening access to affordable rice and basic food staples in Manila, scaling up the KADIWA ng Pangulo and the P20 “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!” rice program as part of a broader push to strengthen food security in this densely populated Philippine capital.
Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto urged the 857 new graduates of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) to always side with the Filipino people, saying it is never the wrong choice.