Mark Lapid, Chief Operating Officer of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), recently met with members of the press to discuss the agency’s ongoing projects and recent developments.
Lapid, who holds a Master’s in Development Management from the University of the Philippines Los Baños and a doctorate degree, has a long background in public service, including a term as Governor of Pampanga from 2004 to 2007. He was first appointed to the agency, then known as the Philippine Tourism Authority, in 2008.
Following a significant decline in revenues during the pandemic, Lapid oversaw TIEZA’s financial recalibration. The agency, which relies mainly on travel tax collections as its funding source, saw its income drop sharply when travel was restricted. Lapid shared, “When I returned, the finances were negative. Our main funding, the PHP 1,620 travel tax, was not coming in due to the lockdown. We had to recalibrate and implement work-from-home setups. Thankfully, starting 2024, collections reached pre-pandemic levels, and by 2025, we exceeded 2019 figures by over ₱1 billion.”
The travel tax is distributed as follows: 50% to TIEZA, 40% to CHED, and 10% to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). This funding supports tourism infrastructure, education, and cultural programs.
Lapid outlined several ongoing projects, including the Sustainable Tourism Development Project (STDP) and improvements to Burnham Park, as well as tourism rest areas, information centers, solar streetlights, and esplanades at key destinations. He also mentioned the agency’s role in addressing current issues, such as the recurring “black thing” incident in El Nido, Palawan. TIEZA is now funding and implementing the necessary upgrades to the town’s drainage and wastewater systems.
Additionally, TIEZA is undertaking the rehabilitation of 10 domestic airports in partnership with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), which requested support due to budget constraints. The airports include Butuan, Calbayog, Dumaguete-Sibulan, Kalibo, Laoag, Pagadian, Roxas, Sayak (Siargao), Tuguegarao, and Zamboanga.
Lapid views education and information dissemination as key challenges for tourism development, especially in rural areas. He noted, “There’s a tendency to focus on income generation, but preparation, security, and environmental protection do not always get the attention they need. Education is important.”
When asked about national issues, Lapid said he hopes the issues in the Senate are resolved soon so that lawmakers can address matters important to Filipinos, such as lowering airfare, which he believes significantly affects tourism. He also pointed out that rising hotel rates and the cost of goods are additional challenges to the industry.
On the possibility of the girl group BINI being named tourism ambassadors by the Department of Tourism, Lapid said, “It would be a big help, especially as BINI becomes a global icon. We hope they accept.”
As TIEZA moves forward with its ongoing and future projects, Lapid emphasizes the importance of professionalism, transparency, and a balanced approach to tourism development in the Philippines.