MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) has called on airline companies and state agencies to be more transparent in setting airfares for local destinations, amid criticisms that international flights are sometimes cheaper than domestic travel.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is working to address the issue.

“(Acting Transportation) Secretary Banoy (Giovanni Lopez) is coming up with a solution,” she said, noting that factors such as the use of smaller aircraft with fewer seats and fluctuating fuel costs may have contributed to higher domestic fares.

Lopez has already discussed the matter with Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific, both of which agreed to lower ticket prices, particularly for flights to Siargao. The Civil Aeronautics Board has also reminded airlines to reduce fuel surcharges, which would help cut airfare.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said the DOT has taken complaints from travelers and tourism stakeholders seriously, following remarks by television host Bianca Gonzales, who highlighted that flights to Siargao can be more expensive than trips to Hong Kong, Bangkok, or Vietnam.

“They committed to first take out their two most expensive price buckets for tickets to certain destinations including Siargao,” Frasco said on the sidelines of the ASEAN Tourism Forum at Mactan Expo.

The DOT is also pushing for “complete transparency in terms of the pricing of tickets,” proposing a monthly publication of fares and suggested price ceilings by the Civil Aeronautics Board.

Frasco noted that while some Philippine destinations remain competitive, others face challenges in price competitiveness. She appealed to airlines to help provide more affordable options for domestic travelers.

Despite the concerns over airfares, Frasco highlighted the country’s strong domestic tourism performance, citing a World Travel and Tourism Council study that reported 134 million domestic trips generating $70 billion in revenue.

She reiterated that the DOT does not control airfares, which fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation.