By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
In response to mounting backlash from the citizenry on rising domestic ticket prices, the Department of Tourism (DOT) urged airline companies to exercise greater transparency in the setting and publication of airfares.
During a Senate hearing of the Committee on Tourism held on Tuesday, DOT Secretary Christina Frasco called for a review of airline regulations to keep prices of airline tickets within reasonable limits, with the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) already looking into this pressing concern.
Secretary Frasco told the Committee, “I would just like to point out that, being holders of public franchises, our airlines in the Philippines carry not only the responsibility to have commercial gains but also public interest obligations. And these are specified in the franchise that were granted, specifically in Section 3 of RA 11682, granting franchises to local airline carriers.”
Under Republic Act No. 11682, airline carriers operate under government-granted franchises, which ensure that airfare pricing remains fair, transparent, and subject to regulatory oversight.
This, as domestic travel continues to face hindrances to accessibility and affordability for the masses despite being touted as the backbone of the Philippine tourism industry.
Senate Committee on Tourism Chairperson Senator JV Ejercito expounded, “Expensive airfares are often just a symptom of poor facilities and neglected infrastructure. When our airports lack the capacity, when our runways are too short for larger planes, and when we lack night rating capabilities, the Filipino traveler primarily pays the price.
This is why we continue to push for a master plan for infrastructure and development. We need a long-term blueprint that outlasts political terms and ensures our airports, seaports, and transport hubs are world-class.”
Further interventions
As part of a comprehensive framework to ensure that airline companies are charging their customers reasonable fares, the DOT is coordinating with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), and CAB for proper regulatory oversight on this matter.
The Tourism Chief, moreover, called for a strict implementation of suggested price ceilings on flight tickets that balance consumer welfare with market regulation, thus preventing market shocks and fostering positive developments.
In 2025 alone, the DOT supported the launch of 23 new international flights, linking major Philippine gateways like Manila, Cebu, Clark, Iloilo, and Kalibo to key cities abroad.
Senator Loren Legarda likewise underscored the need for a coordinated, inter-agency response, noting that the DOT cannot address operational, infrastructure, and regulatory challenges on its own.
Sen. Legarda cited an example, stressing the need to regulate airfares to encourage Filipinos to visit local destinations, “Ang tourism maski ano kasi ang promote ninyo, kung pagdating naman napakamahal magpunta lang sa Busuanga na napakaganda P24,000 ay hindi na talaga pupunta ang turista.”
In 2024, the Philippines recorded more than 134 million local trips—the highest domestic tourism share in Southeast Asia—valued at over US $70 billion. This surpasses the 122 million recorded in 2019, before the pandemic.
jpv
