PH wins 6 World Travel awards; Philippine Pavilion bags silver in Expo 2025 Osaka

The Philippines reinforced its standing as a global tourism powerhouse after capturing six major honors at the 2025 World Travel Awards (WTA) Asia and Oceania Gala Ceremony, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said on Tuesday, Oct. 14.

- BY TRIXEE ROSEL

DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco said the recognitions underscore the country's natural beauty and the warmth of Filipinos, which continue to define its tourism success.

The Philippines was named Asia's Leading Beach Destination for the eighth time, reaffirming the worldwide appeal of its pristine white-sand shores.

It also clinched its seventh consecutive title as Asia's Leading Dive Destination, a testament to the nation's rich marine biodiversity and underwater treasures.

The country likewise earned back-to-back recognition Oct. 14, to explain the national budget processes. She said in a statement that these processes "provide no room for the DBM to participate in the so-called 'budget insertion'." Such processes cover the National Expenditure Program (NEP), or the proposed budget crafted by the executive, and the General Appropriations Act (GAA), known as the approved national budget.

Pangandaman said the DBM "does not have the authority to introduce insertions into the national budget." "Referred to as Congress-introduced changes and adjustments (CICAS), such insertions occur not during NEP preparation, but during the bicameral conference committee deliberations between the two houses of Congress," she explained.

Under the Constitution, Congress retains the "power of the purse," she said, adding that the DBM's role is limited to "explaining, clarifying, and defending the proposed allocations" once the NEP has been submitted to Congress.

"The authority to introduce, realign, or amend items rests solely with the legislative branch," she stressed.

First step toward transparent budget