Before I go to the main topic for today, allow me to express my concern to the Supreme Court magistrates who have been requested to step in and suspend the PPP agreement between the DOTr and NNIC for NAIA.
Just when we have a presentable, functioning and praiseworthy International airport, we have people trying to block it, or at least get the SC to suspend the agreement due to the current economic crisis etc., etc.
Getting a TRO by asking the SC to “step in” will only lead to the nay sayers against NNIC to actually gain a legal foot in the door and prevent NNIC from carrying on the great job they are doing with NAIA.
If the government and the world recognize that airlines need support and fuel adjustments to continue serving passengers, why should it be any different for DOTr-NNIC.
For once, we have a working partnership favorable to government and it should not be in any way or shape be hampered by vested interest groups.
If anything, the SC should really investigate who or what companies are really behind the petitions to place a TRO on the DOTr-NNIC project.
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In order to plan for our group activities, we did an informal “survey” of who in our Men’s group were going out of town or staying in Metro Manila during the Holy Week.
Of the 13 heads of families in attendance, only one was flying to Boracay while the rest will stay home and only one will do “staycation.” Their decision was largely affected by the fuel crisis and hyperinflation. The new rule was no unnecessary trips.
What then would happen if people, media or government actually conducted a survey of the standard 1,100 individuals or respondents to find out who was staying home, doing a staycation or actually driving out of town?
Based on his accounts, my friend “Bert” got the shock of his life after spending 8,000 pesos on diesel for a round trip from Pasig to Anvaya Cove, and an estimated 1,500 pesos for tolls etc.
Yes, people’s quality of life is now dictated by kilometers per liter and pesos per liter. Another survey we should do after the Holy Week is: “Did you save money staying home during Holy Week?”
Some people claim “No,” after you total all the food deliveries, 24-hour use of aircons, home service hair and nail work as well as home service massages for all.
This is similar to the ongoing argument among car owners about electric vehicles. E-vehicles are cheaper (they claim) and you don’t have to worry about pump prices. Or don’t you? Unless you have solar power at work or home you still charge through the grid!
However things turn out for many of us, I have an eerie feeling that Holy Week 2026 might be our Last Hurrah, the final summer outing for the year before the fuel shortage really dries up our tanks and clears our road of traffic. At least for this year.
More than just surveys, studying the movement of local and foreign tourists at our summer peak season can be a sign of hope or an omen or ill tidings. We can either expect the worse or try and manage our expectations.
According to a presenter at a global conference in Hong Kong, millions of Chinese tourists now prefer to travel and experience tourism in China instead of going abroad because of the security concerns, language barriers, and because China has so much to offer.
As far as the rest of the world is concerned, the current situation in the Middle East has transformed air travel into a game of roulette and lottery. You never know if you’ll turn back, take off or see drones bomb the runway you are on.
In the Philippines, tourism is back to two main markets: the European backpacking digital nomads and the ever-resilient Turistang Kanin. From 1970 to 2026, these two markets have kept coming, discovering and sharing their beautiful experiences.
They “discovered” and popularized Boracay, Panglao, Siquijor, and now Siargao. They did it through social media and sharing their users experience as well as giving “How to tips” for travel in the Philippines.
So why is the government not addressing their needs, their concerns and listening to their suggestions. The simple answer is because those in charge of tourism have always tried to go for the upper class, big spenders, high-end tourists.
Among the many failures of the Department of Tourism is simplifying land travel in the country. Many bus companies don’t have actual reliable travel schedules and advance booking tickets for tourist buses still requires a “personal appearance.”
Information portals, websites and FB accounts for LGUs and their tourist attractions are weak, and often inactive forcing would-be visitors to rely on chat groups.
One constant complaint from several tourists, as well as a Provincial Governor, was the absence of telecoms or internet signal because the telcos have not invested in cell sites or towers.
Among the often-mentioned problem areas are Baguio all the way to Sagada and outlying towns. Another would be Rizal province particularly Tanay, Teresa, etc. The Digital Nomads can’t go where there is no internet, and local tourists always want to be connected with home.
It takes a village to fix things, particularly Tourism.
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