President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has removed Christina Garcia Frasco from her position as tourism secretary and appointed her the presidential adviser for sustainable and resilient communities. While the Palace has not confirmed a replacement for Frasco at the Department of Tourism (DOT), Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso temporarily heads the agency.
Frasco’s tenure as DOT chief started in June 2022, and has been subject to criticism since then. In 2023, the DOT and Frasco drew flak after their “Love the Philippines” tourism campaign video was found to have used stock footage taken outside the country. In December 2025, Frasco was also criticized after the private publication Philippine Topics used her photo on the cover. After the magazine was presumed to be promotional material for tourism in the Philippines, the DOT clarified that it “did not contract, pay, commission or direct the magazine to produce its cover or feature story.”
Aside from these controversies, the DOT also continues to face other challenges with regard to competing for tourists with other Southeast Asian countries, overtourism, and subpar infrastructure for tourists and travelers. Here, we take a closer look at the issues that the next tourism secretary must address.
Falling Behind on Tourism in Southeast Asia
The Philippines is not bringing in as many tourists as its neighboring countries, The Straits Times reports. In 2025, tourist arrivals were at 5.24 million, down 2.2 percent from 2024. Vietnam recorded 22 million tourist arrivals in 2025, while in the same year, Thailand recorded 32.9 million visitors. In explaining what might make the Philippines an unattractive tourist destination, The Straits Times’ report points to infrastructure, which is also its own set of problems.
Bad Infrastructure
Travel in the Philippines, whether you’re a tourist or a resident on a commute, is always inconvenient. Riza Rasco, co-founder of Filipino travelers group Philippine Global Explorers, told Inquirer that travel to and from terminals and ports are a hassle. “When I traveled across the Philippines, it was so hard to find the schedule of the ferries, the schedule of the buses,” she said.
In Manila, the country’s main entry point for foreign tourists, the passenger experience is marked by long lines in immigration, delays in baggage retrieval, and a lack of options for terminal transfers. Aside from taxis, other private vehicles, and point-to-point buses, there aren’t many other transportation options available to bring tourists out of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Overtourism in Siargao
On the flipside of the Philippines lagging behind other Southeast Asian countries, the island destination of Siargao continues to deal with a tourist boom that’s jeopardizing local communities and the environment. In May 2025, Rolling Stone Philippines reported that a group of locals had looked into establishing a code of conduct for foreign tourists, who they say have been harassing the island’s residents and do not observe proper waste disposal practices.
Locals worry that the lack of regulations for tourists in Siargao may lead to the island temporarily closing down for rehabilitation, in the same way Boracay was temporarily closed for six months in 2018.
Frequently Asked Questions
President Marcos removed Christina Garcia Frasco from the Department of Tourism and appointed her presidential adviser for sustainable and resilient communities. Her tenure, which began in June 2022, faced repeated criticism, including a 2023 campaign video controversy.
Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso is temporarily heading the Department of Tourism while the Palace has yet to confirm a permanent replacement for Christina Frasco as secretary.
The Philippines recorded 5.24 million tourist arrivals in 2025, down 2.2 percent from 2024, compared to Vietnam’s 22 million and Thailand’s 32.9 million. Reports point to poor infrastructure as a key factor.
Travelers face long immigration lines, delayed baggage retrieval, and limited transfer options at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, along with difficulty finding reliable ferry and bus schedules nationwide.
Siargao locals have reported harassment and poor waste disposal practices among foreign tourists, prompting talks of a code of conduct. Residents worry the island could face a temporary closure similar to Boracay’s 2018 shutdown.
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