Deputy Speaker La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega V on Tuesday, July 29, slammed the Department of Tourism (DOT) over its supposed failure to provide jobs and boost the local economy despite its massive funding and costly promotions.

According to Ortega, the DOT still "has much to prove" as an agency, especially since President Marcos already set a clear direction for performance and accountability across all government offices.

La Union, popularly referred to as "Elyu", is driven mainly by tourism and agriculture.

But after the recent typhoons, people have found it a struggle to get back on their feet.

Ortega also noted the DOT's non-mention from the President’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), which he said signals the need for the agency to step up and demonstrate measurable progress aligned with the national recovery effort.

“President Bongbong Marcos has made performance the standard. Agencies must do more than promote. They must produce. Tourism must help revive local economies and create sustainable jobs,” Ortega said.

Despite aggressive international promotions and a costly rebranding campaign, the Philippines continues to lag behind its neighbors from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in tourist arrivals and post-pandemic recovery.

It also trailed in tourism receipts. While the DOT reported P760.5 billion, or roughly $13.1 billion, in earnings last year, Thailand brought in more than 39 billion US dollars, and Vietnam around 16 billion US dollars.

"These numbers tell a story. We are attracting fewer tourists, and those who do come are spending less," Ortega said.

"That’s a red flag for millions of Filipino workers who depend on tourism, especially in the provinces.”

Tourism accounts for nearly nine percent of the country’s gross domestic product and supports more than five million jobs.

Ortega warned that unless the DOT delivers measurable, localized results, the sector’s recovery will remain uneven and incomplete.

"This is no longer just a tourism issue. It’s an economic justice issue," Ortega said.

Ortega urged DOT Secretary Christina Frasco to revisit the agency’s strategy and ensure that recovery efforts benefit small businesses, local workers and communities most in need.