DOT at DFA, humarap sa pagtalakay ng kamara kaugnay sa 2024 proposed national budget
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00:00 The discussion of the laws for the country's budget for the next year is ongoing.
00:06 Let's hear what happened. Let's report with Mel Alesmora live.
00:13 Mel?
00:15 Since 9 in the morning and until now, the discussion of the House Committee on Appropriations
00:24 and the National Fund for the next year is ongoing. And for now, Audrey, the officials of the DFA are the ones who are in charge of the House Committee on Appropriations.
00:35 They are not only discussing the budget but also other issues, including the Philippine's domestic affairs.
00:43 It was past 9 in the morning when the deliberation of the House Committee on Appropriations on the 2024 National Budget was held.
00:53 The Department of Tourism was the first to face the bills, led by DOT Secretary Christina Frasco.
01:00 According to the DOT, from the P3.7 billion Pound they received this year,
01:06 they reduced the amount to P2.9 billion for the next year based on the National Expenditure Program.
01:14 That's why Secretary Frasco asked for a bigger fund, especially for the tourism sector, especially for the country's economy.
01:25 Secretary Frasco's gate is now open. The tourism sector is continuing to grow after the COVID-19 pandemic,
01:33 so he hopes that this project will continue.
01:36 Some congressmen expressed their support for the addition of a DOT fund.
01:42 All of these numbers translate to the very core and purpose as to why we all support tourism,
01:50 and that is to provide employment and livelihood to our fellow Filipinos.
01:55 In 2022, the tourism industry employed over 5.35 million Filipinos across the country.
02:04 Multiply that by the average number of Filipinos in a family, and you can easily deduct that over a quarter of 100 million Filipinos have benefited from tourism.
02:21 Tourism is undoubtedly one of the most dynamic and vibrant sectors of the modern world
02:27 that has the power to stimulate and propel economic growth, cultural exchange and social development within a nation.
02:34 The economic impact of tourism cannot be overstated.
02:38 It provides a livelihood for countless individuals in hospitality, transportation, agriculture and handicraft trade.
02:46 Aside from the budget, the controversy in the tourism department was not unavoidable in the hearing,
02:52 just like what happened in the Love the Philippines Tourism Campaign ad.
02:56 The DOT clarified that they have already taken action and that they will release new videos
03:01 along with the launch of other new tourism projects.
03:05 The officials of the Foreign Affairs Department met with the Appropriations Committee
03:11 to discuss the budget they are asking for for the next year.
03:15 Compared to 2023, the proposed fund of the DFA increased by more than P3 million in 2024.
03:22 That is why they are hoping to launch the programs they have planned.
03:26 But in the middle of the discussion, some issues about the Philippines' future were also discussed.
03:33 At this point, if DFA is to be asked, has China done any act of war so far?
03:40 Well, I really have to check with the definition of act of war, but I really, as I mentioned earlier,
03:46 we're still committed with China to manage our disputes peacefully.
03:50 And that's the way that we're both working.
03:52 I suppose if a country were to declare war on us, then we would then have to respond.
03:57 But our foreign policy, as the President has clearly said, is an independent foreign policy
04:02 where the Philippines is friends to all. And we will pursue that.
04:05 Audrey, earlier before we started,
04:10 as part of the discussions here in the hearing,
04:13 the issue of wildfires in Hawaii.
04:15 Maybe we have viewers who have relatives in Hawaii
04:19 who are worried about our fellow Filipinos there.
04:22 DFA Undersecretary Eduardo Divega confirmed that at this point,
04:27 the Philippine team that was sent there to help the distressed Filipinos affected by the wildfires is already in Hawaii.
04:36 As of now, Audrey, the DFA cannot confirm if there are Filipinos who are affected by the wildfires.
04:42 But when the Philippine team arrives, they are expected to have a particular date.
04:48 That's all for this incident. Audrey.
04:50 Thank you very much, Mel Alasmorax.