domestic tourism

BY ALJAVE M. MONTEROLA AND LEE JOSHUA L. SARDOMA / DNSC Interns

TOURIST arrivals in Davao City rose slightly month-to-month from January to February this year.

During the Pulong-Pulong sa Dabawenyos on April 14, Councilor Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz, chair of the committee on tourism and beautification, said visitor receipts increased by 4.51% from the 165,867 in January to 173,344 in February.

Philippine residents accounted for the majority of visitors, rising from 154,794 to 163,010, while foreign nationals slightly grew from 8,182 to 8,229.

Meanwhile, overseas Filipino workers slightly declined from 2,891 to 2,105.

“The increase was driven by successful major events, stronger tourism promotions, and sustained collaboration among the City Government, the City Tourism Operations Office, and stakeholders,” Ortiz said.

Ortiz added that figures indicate that Davao City’s tourism industry is steadily recovering and remains on track for sustained growth in 2026.

Meanwhile, officials addressed concerns about the Araw ng Dabaw celebration being linked to political exposure.

“Actually, dili man nato ma-ingon na it’s pamolitika or to give a platform. It so happened that the celebration was month-long, unlike before. The culmination used to be March 16, but this year it was moved to the 28th and only coincided with the birthday of FPRRD,” Ortiz explained.

Councilor Rachel Zozobrado also clarified that the invitation of political figures was not intended for political gain, but to allow them to experience and take part in the celebration.

A LONG-ENVISIONED fixed link connecting the Philippines’ three main island groups is moving closer to reality, with a feasibility study for a proposed Luzon–Visayas long-span bridge or undersea road tunnel scheduled this year and a separate study for a Visayas–Mindanao crossing planned for 2027.

House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan said the two studies would be conducted sequentially as part of efforts to establish permanent land links between Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao

“The feasibility studies for the twin projects will be carried out one after the other,” Libanan said.

Libanan issued the statement after members of Congress and provincial governors from Eastern Visayas met with Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon.

“Secretary Dizon assured us during the meeting that the proposed Luzon–Visayas bridge or undersea motor vehicle tunnel will undergo a feasibility study this year after Congress allocated P130 million to fund it,” Libanan said.

“We in Congress are firmly committed to pursuing these transformative projects that will link Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao through fixed and permanent structures,” he added.

Also present at the March 10 meeting with Dizon at the DPWH regional office in Tacloban City were Eastern Samar Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales, Eastern Samar Gov. RV Evardone, Northern Samar Gov. Harris Ongchuan, Northern Samar Rep. Edwin Ongchuan, Samar Rep. Stephen James Tan, Samar Rep. Reynolds Michael Tan, Samar Gov. Sharee Ann Tan, and Leyte Gov. Jericho Petilla.

Libanan is the principal author of House Bill No. 4589, which proposes the construction of a bridge or undersea tunnel connecting Sorsogon and Northern Samar.

He also authored House Bill No. 4950, which calls for a similar crossing between Southern Leyte and Surigao del Norte.

“We envision the projects paving the way for the full economic integration of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao,” Libanan said.

“By creating a direct, safe, and dependable land passage between the country’s three main island groups, these links will transform the movement of people, goods, and services nationwide,” he said.

The projects are expected to boost trade, stimulate local economies, and enhance the country’s overall business competitiveness, according to Libanan.

“They will also strengthen domestic tourism by opening vital gateways for direct land travel,” he added.

“These connections will also enable faster disaster response, improve national defense mobility, and promote stronger territorial cohesion,” Libanan pointed out.

“These are strategic investments in the country’s long-term development and will help ensure balanced economic growth across all regions, as mandated by the Constitution,” he added.

At present, transportation between Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao relies heavily on roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ferry services that are vulnerable to capacity limits, weather disruptions, and delays, affecting the efficient movement of passengers and cargo.

Currently, ferries connect Luzon and the Visayas mainly through routes from Matnog in Sorsogon to Allen in Northern Samar across the San Bernardino Strait.

Ferries also connect the Visayas and Mindanao primarily via routes from Liloan in Southern Leyte to Surigao City across the Surigao Strait.

Davao City records slight uptick in tourism arrivals in February

LIBANAN: Luzon–Visayas bridge feasibility study set for this year; Visayas–Mindanao crossing eyed next