BAGUIO City Rep. Mark Go expressed optimism that the Joint Administrative Order between the Commission on Higher Education and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority will ensure a more efficient and transparent use of travel tax revenues for higher education programs.

Go, Chairperson of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education, joined CHED Chairman Prof. Popoy De Vera, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, and TIEZA ACOO Atty. Karen Mae G. Sarinas-Baydo in the ceremonial signing of the JAO.

The order establishes clear guidelines for allocating the Higher Education Development Fund, which receives 40% of total travel tax collections—amounting to ₱17.5 billion over the years. These funds will now be directed toward tourism education and training programs nationwide.

Under the new framework, tourism-generated revenue will directly support higher education through:

Scholarships for students in tourism and hospitality programs

Industry immersion programs to provide hands-on training

Research initiatives to advance the field of tourism

Development of world-class training facilities for tourism and hospitality education

This initiative ensures better opportunities for students, a more skilled workforce, and stronger alignment between education and industry needs.

Go emphasized that this move guarantees every peso collected from travelers contributes meaningfully to national development.

“By investing in education, we are not just supporting students—we are building a globally competitive workforce that will drive the future of our tourism industry and the economy,” Go stated.

With the JAO in place, the government aims to elevate the quality of tourism education in the country, ensuring that Filipino graduates are well-equipped to thrive in the global tourism sector.