MANILA, Nov. 21 -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) is finalizing measures to promote airfare transparency and strengthen consumer protection, even as lawmakers push for the upgrade of key provincial airports and highlight gains from newly opened international and domestic routes.

During Friday's plenary debates defending the proposed 2026 budget of the DOT, Senator Loren Legarda said high domestic airfare remains a major deterrent to local travel, prompting the agency to coordinate closely with transport and competition regulators.

Legarda said the DOT, in consultation with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Civil Aeronautics Board, Department of Trade and Industry, and the Philippine Competition Commission, is finalizing a code o...