PASAY CITY—The Senate Committee on Tourism, led by Senator JV Ejercito, launched a sweeping inquiry on Tuesday, February 3, into the soaring costs of domestic travel and the country’s lagging infrastructure. 

Lawmakers slammed the current state of local travel, noting that it is often more expensive for Filipinos to fly within their own provinces than to travel abroad. 

Ejercito emphasized that the Department of Tourism (DOT) must prioritize fixing broken infrastructure—from dilapidated seaports to congested airports—to ensure that the National Tourism Development Plan actually translates into an affordable reality for everyday citizens.

The hearing took a sharp turn as Senator Raffy Tulfo confronted Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco over allegations of "self-promotion" in marketing materials. 

Tulfo presented slides of magazines and promotional displays where Frasco’s image was prominently featured, Likening the Secretary's visibility to that of a "vlogger" rather than a promoter of destinations. 

Frasco fired back, asserting that her presence on the ground across 56 provinces was about accountability and leadership, not optics. She further clarified that a controversial magazine cover in Japan was published without her consent or the use of government funds.

Beyond the heated exchanges, the panel shifted focus to legislative measures aimed at making Philippine tourism more inclusive. 

Senators discussed bills specifically designed to mandate PWD-friendly and senior-citizen-accessible facilities at all major tourist sites. 

By pushing for stricter safety protocols and universal design standards, the committee aims to transform the Philippines into a destination that is not only world-class in beauty but also accessible to all Filipinos, regardless of physical ability or age.