Congress earmarks P46 B for tourism roads this year

MANILA, Philippines - The two chambers of Congress have allotted nearly P46 billion for what lawmakers call “tourism roads” – those leading to airports, seaports and tourist destinations throughout the country.

Budget documents submitted to the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee show the government is spending P16.5 billion this year for such road projects.

Next year, P29.2 billion is in the national budget for infrastructure projects intended to facilitate travel to airports, seaports and tourist destinations.

The province of Palawan will get the biggest funding next year amounting to P2.8 billion, more than thrice its P884.5-million allocation in 2015.

It is followed by Iloilo, which will have P1.216 billion, nearly six times the P210 million it is allotted last year for tourism roads.

 The amount appropriated for Palawan in 2016 dwarfs funding for the rest of the Mimaropa region. Marinduque will get P255.8 million, Romblon, P255 million; Mindoro Oriental, P212.5 million; and Mindoro Occidental, P140 million.

In Western Visayas, Negros Occidental will have P561 million; Aklan, where Boracay is located, P79.5 million; Antique, P310.5 million; Bacolod City, P125 million; Capiz, P10 million; and Guimaras, P315.6 million.

The Department of Tourism and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) listed the road projects under their infrastructure-tourism convergence program.

The DPWH is the implementing agency. The tourism roads are in addition to other infrastructure projects the DPWH is undertaking.

In the Cordillera Region, Benguet will get P647.7 million this year; followed by Ifugao, P354.5 million; Mountain Province, P321.8 million; Apayao, P316 million; and Abra, P7.5 million. Nothing is allocated for Kalinga.

In Region 1, Ilocos Norte will have the biggest funding amounting to P973.6 million; followed by Pangasinan, P816 million; La Union, P354 million; and Ilocos Sur, P100 million.

Cagayan in Region 2 will receive P350 million, followed by Batanes, P131.3 million; Quirino, P124 million; Nueva Vizcaya, P76 million; and Isabela, P22 million.

The province of Tarlac is allocated P400 million for 2016. Pampanga will get P237.6 million; Aurora, P226.9 million; Zambales, P200 million; and Nueva Ecija, P120 million. Nothing is appropriated for Bulacan and Bataan.

In Southern Luzon, P581.5 million will be given to Batangas, P379.7 million to Quezon, P51.5 million to Cavite, P40 million to Laguna, and nothing to Rizal.