President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos are welcomed by Australia Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Tim Watts and other officials as they arrived at Melbourne Airport, Australia on March 3, 2024.  Noel Pabalate, PPA ppol/File

MANILA – The Office of the President is requesting a budget of over P1 billion to fund President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s domestic and international trips next year, the Department of Budget and Management said Thursday.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the requested P1.054 billion is lower than the P1.148 billion allocated for the Chief Executive’s trips this year.

“It is P94 million or eight percent decrease compared to P1.148 billion allocation in the 2024 General Appropriations Act. Bumaba po siya ng eight percent,” Pangandaman said in a Palace briefing. 

“Siguro, kung makikita po natin dito sa proposal nila siguro may nabawasan po silang travel both local and foreign.”

Presidential Travels Abroad

Critics have questioned Marcos Jr’s frequent trips abroad. The Palace said the trips aim to promote the Philippines as an investment destination and boost partnerships with allied countries.

Pangandaman said that despite the lower budget for the President’s trips, the Philippine government would continue its efforts to market the Philippines to investors and follow up on earlier investment pledges.

“Together also with DTI and kami rin po sa economic team – we still continue to go out and parang kumbaga we market the Philippines as an investment destination – tuluy-tuloy po iyan,” she said.

“Samantalang, iyong iba po may mga napirmahan na po na mga memorandum of understanding and agreement ang ating Presidente kailangan pa rin po mayroon din pa pong follow-ups itong mga ito para to ensure na makarating nga itong mga investments na nakalap natin noong mga nakaraang taon.”

Marcos explains frequent provincial trips