12 JUNE 2020 Philippines-Qatar relations strong · 6/11/2020  · rights of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). Dr. Ibrahim Al Shaar, Director of the Medical Commission Department of

ACTING MANAGING EDITORMohammed Salim Mohamed

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFDr. Khalid Mubarak Al-Shafi

SUPPLEMENT COORDINATORRocela Bautista

ADVERTISING CONTRIBUTORLove Lee Garcia

DESIGNAbraham Augusthy

2020

Relations between the Philippines and Qatar are robust, strong and growing by the day. In Sep-

tember 2019, Qatar inaugurated its overseas Visa Centre in Manila, Philippines, as part of the state' efforts to facilitate and simplify the recruitment pro-cedures for expatriates into the country. The inauguration of Qatar Visa Center in the Phil-ippine capital of Manila com-plements the project to end the recruitment of expatriates from abroad and the Philippines is the sixth country to launch the Visa Center, which have proven to be very successful in pro-viding outstanding services.

Major Abdullah Khalifa Al Mohannadi, Director of the Visa Support Service Department of Qatar’s Ministry of Interior, had

said the new visa center will serve as a one-stop center as the new facility allows for the enrolment of biometric data of applicants — a requirement for visa applicants — and medical tests. “This will unify the channel of granting visas to Qatar and will simplify the granting of residence permits,” Mohannadi said. He added that the 1,500 square metre visa center at the NU Mall of Asia building in Pasay City is capable of processing 350 applicants daily.

H E Ali Ibrahim Al Malki, Qatar Ambassador to the Phil-ippines, said the creation of the visa center underscores the growing desire for Filipino workers due to their significant contributions to the state. He added the visa center was the result of Qatar’s policy which

aims to enhance the state’s rela-tionship with the Philippines. “It reflects the interest of the state of Qatar to strengthen the relationship with the Philip-pines,” Malki said.

Mohammed Ali Al Meer, labour expert from Qatar’s Min-istry of Administrative Devel-opment, Labour and Social Affairs, said the visa center will serve in the preservation of rights of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). Dr. Ibrahim Al

Shaar, Director of the Medical Commission Department of Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health, said the center will not only minimize the cost and time of the application process, but it will also minimize the cost and time invested by applicants. He added the process for work and residence visas can be com-pleted within 48 hours through the center.

Boosting cultural ties, a diverse array of works by

renowned international Filipino visual artist Frederick Epistola titled Hugis at Kulay (Shapes and Hues) was launched at Katara Cultural Village in August 2019. Officially inaugu-rating the exhibition, Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, General Manager of Katara, lauded the level of cooperation between Katara and the Philippine Embassy in Doha which has resulted to a variety of artistic and cultural activities, including

this exhibition which shows vis-itors the stunning features of the Philippines and its rich culture.

In his remarks, Alan L Tim-bayan, Ambassador of the Phil-ippines, underlined the impor-tance of the exhibition show-casing its several paintings, collages and sculptures depicting the historical, social and cultural changes experi-enced by the Filipino society to expose many customs and tra-ditions. Timbayan also praised the great efforts made by Katara in building bridges of cooper-ation and convergence between cultures and peoples.

An abstract expressionist painter, collagist, sculptor and photography enthusiast, Epistola has produced wide ranging art pieces in different mediums from mixed media to clay to metal sculpture some of which are now part of per-manent collections of museums and cultural institutions in various countries such as the US, Switzerland and Italy.

Apart from his art, Epistola is also known for his advocacies and innovation including initi-ating the Solar Power Initiative (SPIN) project which provides homes in depressed areas in the Philippines access to affordable and clean power through the use of solar energy.

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Filipino visual artist Frederick Epistola presents an art piece to Katara General Manager, Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, as Philippine Ambassador Alan L Timbayan (fourth left) and other ambassadors look on during the opening of the “Hugis at Kulay” exhibition, at Katara Cultural Village, in this August 2019 file picture.

The Philippines was ranked as the seventh best country in the world to invest in or do business for 2020,

according to CEO Magazine.In an article posted on its

website https://www.theceo-magazine.com/business/finance/countries-invest on April 29, 2020 the CEO Mag-azine said the Philippines got a total score of 81.5 based on the report released by CEOWORLD in February when some coun-tries have already reported confirmed cases of the corona-virus disease.

The CEOWORLD study ana-lyzed 80 countries according to business and investment environments.

Corruption, freedom, workforce, investor pro-tection, infrastructure, taxes,

quality of life, red tape and technological readiness were among the factors taken into consideration.

The Philippines scored high in terms of constitutional framework (94.9), education and research (94.8), market potential (92.8) and trade openness (91.3).

Economic stability (69.8), skilled labor force (64.61), and government policies (62.54) were also measured.

Singapore topped the list of most attractive nations for investors and business people followed by the UK, Poland, Indonesia and India. Australia was in 6th place followed by the Philippines, the US, Malaysia and Czech Republic.

The Philippine government has repeatedly attributed the country’s investor ranking to its

hard-working workforce, inclusive growth momentum, stable monetary policy, strong anti-corruption drive, and an ambitious “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has also assured that the country remains a safe place to invest in, vowing to ensure ease of doing business by fighting red tape and corruption.

The President asked busi-nessmen to immediately report to his office any bribery attempt or irregularity hounding their investments in the country.

CEOWORLD magazine ranks the world based on a variety of categories ranging from the world’s richest people to the top companies, top executives.

www.pna.gov.ph

Philippines ranked 7th best country in the world to do business

Manila

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FILIPINOS working overseas have been dubbed as the country’s modern-day heroes. The remittances that they give to families back

home fuel household spending that help power the Philippine economy.

Former Angkla Representative Jesulito Manalo, among the authors of a bill calling for the creation of the Office for Social Welfare Attaché to assist overseas Filipinos (OFs), in a speech during the ceremonial signing of the implementing rules and regula-tions (IRR) of the newly enacted Social Welfare Attache Act or RA 11299, said the new measure is “a milestone” for OFWs.

“OFWs, especially those who are distressed will feel that they can depend on the government,” he said. Manalo added that huge remittances sent by overseas Filipinos put emphasis on the "unique trait" of Filipinos among other citizens who stay abroad.

“Migration laws of other countries attract/lure people [foreigners], so they work and spend their earning there to build that country’s economy. That’s why America grew because of migration. The uniqueness of our country is our people work there but send their money here,” he said.

In a Philippine Statistics Authority data released in April 2019, the total remittance sent by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the period of April to September 2017 was estimated at PHP205.2 billion.

These remittances included cash sent home (PHP146.8 billion), cash brought home (PHP48.3 billion) and remittances in kind (PHP10.1 billion).

In 2017, the Bangko Sentral ng Pil-ipinas (BSP) recorded $28bn or around PHP1.46 trillion in cash remittances from OFWs. These remittances con-stituted more than 10 percent of the

country's gross domestic product, according to the BSP report.

Manalo added that while overseas Filipinos play important roles in building the country’s economy, they also face various risks due to the dis-tance and isolation, and through this law, the government ensures the pro-tection of their rights. “We have to care for the people that remit close to 30 billion dollars because if these people will no longer remit, we will not have the money to create jobs and get the money going here,” he added.

Reintegration

President Rodrigo Duterte signed RA 11299 in April 17, 2019. It highlights the establishment of the Office of the Social Welfare Attaché (OSWA), which will be managed by Social Welfare Attachés (SWAtts) and will serve as the

arm of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Home Office and Foreign Posts, in pro-tecting the rights and promoting the welfare of OFs and their families, espe-cially those in distress.

“The social welfare of our workers abroad is now a necessity. It is an important factor, because eventually, these workers will come back and who will prepare them socially and men-tally and reintegrate them back to society, they must be ready to pick up the data and information,” Manalo added.

The law requires that the social welfare attache shall also establish and maintain a data bank and documen-tation of OFWs and their families so that appropriate services can be effec-tively provided; give information about the DSWD and its attached agencies and services; and perform other related

function in the delivery of social services as may be directed by the head of the diplomatic post in the area of assignment. DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista, said they are planning to put five more SWAtts to countries with huge number of Filipinos this year. By 2020, the Department will recommend having 18 SWAtts.

Additional attachés

Currently, the DSWD has seven SWAtts in the following embassies and countries: Philippine Embassy in Qatar; Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, and Phil-ippine Consulate General in Jeddah, Phil-ippine Embassy in Kuwait; Philippine Embassy in Malaysia; Philippine Con-sulate General in Dubai; and Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong.

He said that in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs

(DFA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the DSWD is eyeing to establish additional SWAtts in other Middle Eastern countries and South Korea. They are also planning to send their people to “some parts of Europe”.

“We have to confirm this because the discussion is ongoing and it depends on the DFA,” Bautista added.

Under this year’s General Appro-priations Act, they have allocated some PHP90 million for the establishment of OSWA. The Social Welfare Attaché shall possess the minimum qualifica-tions set by the Civil Service Com-mission (CSC) and the preferred qual-ifications prescribed by the DSWD.

The Social Welfare Attache shall perform the following functions and duties at the overseas post:

1) manage cases of OFWs and other overseas Filipinos in distress needing psychological services, such as victims of trafficking or illegal recruitment, rape or sexual abuse, maltreatment and other forms of physical or mental abuse, and cases of abandoned or neglected children;

2) undertake surveys and prepare official social welfare situationers on the OFWs in the area of assignment;

3) establish a network with overseas-based social welfare agencies and/or individuals and groups which may be mobilized to assist in the pro-vision of appropriate social services;

4) respond to and monitor the res-olution of problems and complaints or queries of OFWs and their families;

5) submit regular reports to the DSWD and DFA home office on plans and activities undertaken, recommen-dations, and updates on the situation of OFWs particularly those encoun-tering difficulties in the host country.

www.pna.gov.ph

New law prioritizes assistance and reintegration of OFWs

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Th e P h i l i p p i n e economy remained one of the best per-formers in Asia after rebounding from an

initial slowdown in the first two quarters of 2019 amid obstacles, reflecting the government’s spending catch-up and easing inflation.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and National Eco-nomic and Development Authority (NEDA) Director- General Ernesto Pernia said the goal of advancing to an upper middle-income status is “going to be surer the coming year”.

“We are going to be reclas-sified as an upper middle-income country by next year and the downside to that will be less access to concessional loans. So we really have to make sure that we finish our major infrastructure projects that are big-ticket projects in terms of cost by 2023,” he said.

Pernia said the government intends to focus on projects that can be completed by 2022, as well as “those that can be started substantially such that it will be more difficult for the next administration to reverse.”

He said there is a grace period of three years from the time the country achieves the status before changes in terms and conditions of lending agreement take effect.

In the World Bank’s classifi-cation, upper middle-income economies are those with a gross national income (GNI) per capita of USD3,996 to USD12,375. The Philippine GNI per capita reached USD3,830 in 2018.

The Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) accel-erated by 6.2 percent in the third quarter, making it the second fastest-growing major economy after Vietnam, and ahead of China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.

It recorded a 5.8-percent growth rate in the first three quarters of 2019, slightly below the lower-end of the govern-ment’s 6 to 6.5-percent full-year growth rate.

“The economy has con-tinued to grow this year despite its initial slowdown in the first two quarters and the obstacles that were thrown its way — from the El Niño phenomenon that resulted in water shortages, the delay in the passage of the 2019 budget, to the US-China trade war, among other things,” Pernia said.

Authorities attributed the weak performance in the first two quarters of 2019 to the effect of the delay in the passage of the 2019 national budget, which pre-vented the government to spend on its infrastructure program,

among others.President Rodrigo Duterte

signed the 2019 budget only in April. Economic managers thus implemented a catch-up spending program, which resulted in growth recovery in July to September. Pernia said the “catch-up plan” on spending on infrastructure projects has also some impact on increasing the country’s economic growth in October to December.

“In the fourth quarter, con-sumer spending really got boosted by bonuses, OFW (overseas Filipino workers) remittances also rose 7.7 percent in October, and that also contributed to increased consumer spending which accounts for about two-thirds of GDP,” he added.

NEDA Undersecretary Rose-marie Edillon also cited that private consumption would be robust given the slow inflation, especially food, as well as gov-ernment consumption.

“Investment spending is also very hefty especially this fourth quarter, actually leading to the fourth quarter,” she said, adding that tourism receipts are likewise expected to post gains with the Philippines’ hosting of the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games).

Pernia said prices, which are a major concern of ordinary Filipinos, have also remained stable this year. He added year-to-date headline inflation for 2019 stood at 2.5 percent, which was mainly driven by lower food prices and price rollbacks for domestic petroleum products brought about by the decline in global oil prices. The average inflation to date is still within the government’s 2 to 4-percent target band.

After it decelerated for five consecutive months since June 2019, inflation rate rose to 1.3 percent in November primarily due to faster rate of price increases of alcoholic beverages

and tobacco index. Rice deflation, however, was observed for the seventh consecutive month in November 2019.

Pernia expected the rice tar-iffication law (RTL) continuing to help bring down overall inflation as it helps improve rice stock inventory of the country.

“Today with the RTL, 101

million Filipinos are enjoying more affordable rice,” he said, adding the RTL includes the Rice Competitiveness Fund (RCEF) which aims to help affected farmers increase their yield, diversify crops, and reduce postharvest losses and production and marketing costs.

To be sourced from rice

import tariff collections, the annual PHP10-billion RCEF will go to providing local palay growers with farm machinery and other equipment, high-yield seeds, cheap and easy credit, and skills training on farm mechanization and other modern technologies.

From 2020 to 2022, eco-nomic planners are targeting a 6.5 percent to 7.5-percent GDP growth. “The main advantages there would be the budget would have been passed by then before the end of the year so there will be no reenactment of the budget for 2020. So that would already be a good start for the year and in the home stretch, gov-ernment spending on infra-structure will increase further because we want to finish as many infrastructures as pos-sible,” Pernia added.

To support and sustain inclusive growth through infrastructure, he said the NEDA Board has approved seven new projects amounting to PHP187.34 billion.

“Majority of these projects will be implemented outside Metro Manila, as we aim to develop growth centers in the regions and spread economic growth and development throughout the country,” he said. Pernia also considered consumption spending an eco-nomic growth driver as inflation remains stable.

On the downside, the NEDA chief said the trade war between the United States and China is “still continuing although it has softened a bit and we hope it will soften further”.

“Looking at these mile-stones in our journey, we see a stable economic performance for 2019, even as we remain vigilant and prepared to face risks such as the possible water shortages in 2020, weak global growth and stagnating world trade, disruptive technologies, and the volatility of oil prices,” Pernia added.

www.pna.gov.ph

Philippine economy remains one of the best performers in Asia

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The Philippines is dubbed an ultimate summer destination because of its many natural wonders that

feature crystal clear water in varying shades of blue to powder white sandy shores sur-rounded by towering limestones and formations. With more than 7,000 islands in the Philippine archipelago, you can never run out of places to include in your travel bucket list. Here are 22 of the best destinations if you’re craving for an island hopping escapade.

22. Tawi-TawiThe peaceful and captivating

island of Tawi-Tawi is located in the southernmost tip of the Phil-ippines. Tawi-Tawi is like a hidden treasure that’s yet to be discovered by travelers. The island’s main attraction is the popular Panampangan Island where you can see the longest sandbar in the Philippines. You can also travel around and savour your holiday break at Sangay Siapo Island, Simunul Island and Bud Bongao Peak. Come for the seafood, the welcoming ambiance and the people. The experience may just surprise you.

21. Port Barton, Palawan

Compared to the more popular destinations in Palawan like El Nido and Coron, Port Barton is yet to be discovered by more travellers. Slowly making a name for itself due to its untapped beauty and magnifi-cence, more and more visitors are being captivated by this hidden gem. Dramatic cliffs at Inaladelan Island, lively and col-ourful reefs at Exotic Island and jaw-dropping sandbars at Star Fish Island – these are just some of the many reasons you will completely love this place.

20. Tres Reyes Islands, Marinduque

Marinduque, a heart-shaped island situated north of Romblon and east of Mindoro is most commonly known for the Moriones Festival. Tourists – both local and international celebrate this vibrant fiesta. As

time goes by, people discover that there’s a lot more to Marinduque. It’s also a perfect place for a spur of the moment beach trip with your family or friends since you can easily reach it via bus and ferry.

Be blown away when you visit Gaspar, Melchor and Baltazar collectively known as the Tres Reyes Islands. Its soft sand, blue water and teeming marine life can surely turn your island dream come true.

19. Palaui IslandGet a chance to witness the

abundant and diverse marine in this tropical paradise called Palaui. Located in the province of Sta. Ana, Cagayan, the long trip to this marvelous attraction is truly worth it as the island rewards you with stunning landscape and sea-scape. It’s also possibly the reason why it was chosen as a shooting location of the hit TV series Survivor.

There’s just something special about discovering such raw beauty when you see places like the Anguib Beach, Crocodile Island, Punta Verde, and Cape Engano Lighthouse. Amazing ocean view, pure white sand beaches and a relaxing tropical vibe are just some of the reasons you should totally include this island in your upcoming holiday destination.

18. RomblonRomblon is a small quaint

island that is home to breath-taking natural beauty of white sand beaches, crystal clear water and unexplored coves. Apart from being a place where you can chill and relax all day, it also is a perfect des-tination to do island-hopping. With the untouched natural resources that surround it, you can simply hop on a boat and witness the magic of Romblon.

There are plenty of adven-tures waiting for you in Romblon. Stroll in the famous long sandbar of BonBon Beach, visit the turtle sanctuary in Agpanabat Turtle Sanctuary, soak in the calm water of Tiamban beach and witness the impressive rock formations in Tinagong Dagat.

17. Dinagat Islands

Tucked away in the southern part of Mindanao, Dinagat island is still yet to be discovered. It’s that type of place that transports you to an ambiance of calmness and serenity; away from the hustle and bustle of the city life. Its primary island attractions are the islands of Biray-biray, Cab-ilan, and Bita-og. The jaw dropping beachscape in these places along with the bountiful coconut trees and its fine white sand hold a promise of a vacation worth remembering.

16. Once Islas, Zamboanga City

Once Islas has been recently introduced as Zam-boanga’s newest eco-tourism attraction. It exhibits the mar-velous 11 islands along the Moro Gulf, found in barangays of Panubigan and Dita in Zam-boanga del Sur. Your beach escapades consist of exploring the islands of Bisaya-Bisaya, Sirommon, Baung-Baung and Buh-Buh. With lots of coconuts trees along the shoreline, its deep blue water and scenic views – Once Islas gives you another island par-adise to tick off your must-visit destination list.

15. Bulalacao,

Oriental Mindoro

Unlike other popular islands in the Philippines, tourism in Bulalacao is relatively new. As more tourists discover its hidden splendor, Bulalacao is deemed to be a rising star. Having said that, this tropical destination is the perfect place to be for those looking for a quality time with nature away from the frolicking crowd. Its peaceful ambiance that still celebrates the tradi-tional province life adds more to its charisma.

Be amazed as you visit some of Bulalacao’s untapped islands like Aslom, Target, Tambaron and Suguicay islands.

14. Camiguin Island

Among the other top island

destinations in the Philippines, Camiguin is famed for the unique and charming island experience it offers. Spending a day or two at this island gives you a chance to witness nothing but nature’s magnifi-cence. It’s usually a side trip for travellers visiting nearby Cagayan de Oro.

This place is a combination of everything that you’re looking for in a vacation – white sand beaches, waterfalls, volcanoes and good food. Don’t pass up the opportunity to explore some of its top tourist attractions like the White Beach sandbar, Mantigue Island, Ardent Hot Springs, Tuasan Falls, Burias Shoals, White Island and Giant Clam Nursery at Kaliba Beach.

13. Mactan, CebuMactan Island is not called

as the Diving Mecca of the South for nothing. Indeed, the island can make any diver’s dream vacation come true as it houses incredible diving sites that cater to both beginners and experienced ones. If you’re not fond of diving, a day exploring the islands of Pandanon, Hilu-tungan, and Nalusuan should equally make you travel with excitement. With plenty of beaches surrounding it, you can relax on the beach, walk along the shoreline or windsurf if you’re feeling more adventurous. You can never run out of reasons to love Mactan Island – that’s for sure.

12. Samal Island, Davao del Norte

Samal island is one of Davao del Norte’s hidden gems. Taking pride in its own version of paradise, the island boasts of pure white sand, beautiful beaches and dra-matic coastlines that leaves anyone who witness it awe-struck. Treat yourself to an island-hopping tour at Talicud Island where you can revel in the beauty of Isla Reta Beach Resort, Wishing Island, Giant Clam Sanctuary and pass by the renowned Pearl Farm for a quick sight-seeing. Indeed, Samal Island is where your well-deserved vacation awaits.

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11. Pundaquit, Zambales

If you’re up for a quick weekend getaway from Manila with family or friends, the islands in Zambales could be your best bet. Just a few hours’ drive from the city, you can delve into an island-hopping trip at Camara, Capones, and Potipot. If you’re looking for a serene and relaxing trip to recharge, reflect and ease your mind, you’ve found your next destination. Pundaquit island still has that province-like ambiance to it that gives you that much-needed break from it all. Some travelers opt to stay overnight and camp-out at either Anawangin or Nagsasa Cove to complete the experience.

10. Moalboal, Cebu

For those looking for an experience of a lifetime, Moalboal offers a wide array of adventures that will leave a big smile on your face. The island’s fascinating and diverse marine life takes the centerstage as it attracts more and more tourists from all over the world. Let your mermaid dream come true in islands such as Pescador Island and Panagsama Beach as you swim through sardine runs and spend time underwater with sea turtles, beautiful corals, and schools of colorful fishes.

9. Caramoan

A gem to be discovered and a paradise to be explored – Car-amoan is definitely a must see. There’s something special about this island. It gives you a front row seat to witness nature’s exquisite beauty whilst away from the bustling crowd.

A paradise offering the richness of the ocean blue water, pretty sandbars and untouched islands, Caramoan will let you taste a slice of heaven on earth. Blessed with nature’s gift, Caramoan will captivate you with some of its charming islands. Each one has its own attraction that will keep you asking for more.

Snorkel and swim with the colorful underwater marine life

in Cagbalinad Island. Beach your way ala “Survivor” in Hunongan Cove and uncover several hidden lagoons and lakes in Matukad Island. You can also include Lahos Island and Tayak Lake to complete your ultimate island-hopping trip in Caramoan.

8. Hundred Islands, Pangasinan

Just around five hours away from Manila, a quick trip to the island of Pangasinan will treat you with hundreds of islands to explore. True to its name, this scenic part of the province boasts a group of approximately 123 islets where you can go on a tropical escapade. Some of the most popular islands include Quezon Island,Governor’s Island, Marcos Island and Chil-dren’s Island. No matter what your adventurous hearts yearn for, Hundred Islands got you covered. Trek to the peak of the cliff in Governor’s island to see a stunning view of the park. There are all sorts of activities here that will surely make your visit worthwhile.

7. Puerto Princesa, Palawan

Home to the world-renowned Underground River which is one of the 7 Wonders of Nature and a UNESCO her-itage site, Puerto Princesa is also a must-visit tourist destination in Palawan. After exploring this majestic river, you can also go on island-hopping trips in Honda Bay where your eyes can feast on lovely sandbars at Starfish Island and Luli Island while relaxing under the sun.

6. Boracay

As one of the Philippines’ most famous islands, Boracay still is one of the summer des-tinations in mind when it comes to fine white-sand beaches and magical sunsets. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing kind of holiday where you get to spend unlimited beach time or a holiday to satisfy the adren-aline junkie in you, this is the

place to be. There’s no better way to spend a day in paradise than to swim to your heart’s content in Puka Beach, snorkel at Crocodile Island and unleash your extreme side by cliff jumping at Magic Island.

End the day with a spec-tacular sunset cruise as you enjoy the beauty of Boracay shores. For some, it’s the view that makes them keep coming back to Boracay. But for others, it’s the experience in this beau-tiful island that leaves a mark on them.

5. Bohol

Bohol surely lives up to its “Heart of the Islands” title. With its vibrant marine life and several sightseeing attractions, a trip to Bohol is all you need to fulfill your paradise getaway dream. Embark on a day filled with adventures on the pretty shores of Balicasag Island and Virgin Island. Snorkel your way down the clear water to witness the wide array of sea creatures and wildlife in the area. You can even feed the fishes as you marvel on the mirror-like water that serves as your window to the teeming underwater life in Bohol. The most exciting part is

that you get to watch and swim with the dolphins of Bohol in Panglao island. That’s totally an experience of a lifetime.

4. Coron, Palawan

Magical lagoons, exotic lakes, fiery sunsets – these are just some of the attraction you wouldn’t want to miss when you visit the gorgeous Coron in Palawan. Exploring the islands by boat will give you a grand perspective of the magnificent limestone formations and the depth of the blue-green water in the lagoons. With a fair variety of both inhabited and uninhabited islands, you should not miss out on seeing some of Coron’s pride by venturing out on an ultimate island-hopping tour which includes destina-tions like Kayangan Lake, Bar-racuda Lake, Twin Lagoons, Skeleton Wreck and Coral Garden. Put on that swimming gear and be ready to fall deeply in love with the mesmerizing beauty of Coron.

3. Siargao Island

Dubbed as the most beau-tiful island in the world for a few years now, Siargao has gained

a special place in the heart of every traveller who visits it. There’s something about Siargao. Its tropical island vibe brought about by the people’s warmth and the place’s natural charm can easily make your trip truly unforgettable.

More than a surfer’s par-adise, Siargao promises to be a fun-filled island-hopping des-tination too. A whole day tour will take you to the picturesque and jaw-dropping islands of Guyam Island and Daku Island. The turquoise blue water of the Pacific Ocean is truly a sight to behold as you bask under the sun and have a sumptuous lunch by the beach.

2. Islas de Gigantes, Iloilo

If you’re daydreaming about a holiday where you can bask under the sun and lounge by the seashore all day long – the beautiful group of islands called Islas de Gigantes in Iloilo should definitely be on your must-visit list. It is divided into 2 main big islands: Gigantes Norte and Gigantes Sur, and other amazing islets; from the Cabugao Gamay, Pulupandan, Bantigue Sandbar, and the Antonia Beach. Apart

from beach bumming, there are a lot of other activities around the island that make it totally worth a visit. This includes snorkeling, spelunking, climbing up the old lighthouse as you enjoy the amazing pan-oramic view of the vast sea.

1. El Nido, Palawan

El Nido, meaning nest in Spanish, is famed for its pristine beaches, stunning lagoons, and towering lime-stone formations. It’s not hard to fall in love with this magical place since nature’s beauty that surrounds it can transport you to a paradise you never expected to exist. It serves as a gateway to the beauty that is Bacuit Archipelago. Several island-hopping tours give your adventure-craving soul a run for its money as they offer you a whole day trip around the different islands in El Nido.

Experience the best of Phil-ippines with its undeniably beau-tiful beaches that will surely take your breathe away. Plan your next ultimate island getaway and check out these must visit desti-nations in the country.

https://guidetothephilippines.ph

Camiguin Island

Mactan, Cebu

El Nido, PalawanSiargao Island

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The Philippines' tourism revenue has reached a total of $9.31bn last year, up by 20.81 percent from $7.71bn receipts in 2018, the Department of

Tourism (DOT) revealed earlier this year.Aside from all-time high earnings, 2019

has also witnessed several tourism milestones as the Philippines also achieved its targeted 8.2 million international arrivals.

DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said these figures confirmed the importance of the tourism sector as a key economic driver of the Philippines. "The Philippines tourism industry's continued impressive performance dramatizes the dedication, hard work and resilience of its stakeholders through a most challenging year. We count on the same enduring qualities to get us through the chal-

lenges this year," she said.Foreign guests to the Philippines incurred

$128.35 average daily expenditure while the average per capita expenditure for a whole trip is pegged at $1,218.04 on an average length of stay 9.49 nights. The double-digit growth in visitors was observed from February to December 2019, with August exhibiting the highest growth at 31.45 percent. Meanwhile, the largest volume was recorded in December at $872.13m.

Romulo-Puyat cited cooperation among the government, tourism industry, and civil societies in realizing the goals of the National Tourism Development Plan for 2016-2022, the masterplan of the country's sustainable tourism program.

www.pna.gov.ph

The year 2019 was an impressive year for the Philippine tourism industry with the country bagging several

accolades showing that efforts from both the public and private sectors to promote tourism are paying off.

For one, the country was named the leading diving des-tination in the 2019 World Travel Awards (WTA) for the first time. The Department of Tourism (DOT) also received a citation as Asia's Leading Tourism Board with its success in boosting the country's arrivals last year.

Palawan continues to dom-inate as a world-class tourist des-tination, landing on CNN Travel's list of 10 world's most beautiful islands. The same goes for Cebu and Boracay, two Philippine des-tinations included in the World's Best Awards of the Travel + Leisure magazine this year.

Aside from citations, figures

proved continuous growth in the country's tourism industry. From January to October 2019, the latest data provided by the DOT showed an upward trend in foreign tourist arrivals, which tallied over 6.8 million, up by at least 15.04 percent compared to the 5,911,161 visitors for the same period in 2018.

Although a lot needs to be done especially on infra-structure, the private sector is also seeing positive devel-opment on the track the Phil-ippine tourism is taking.

Philippine Tour Operators Association president Cesar Cruz hailed the development of several destinations in the country, which started with the rehabilitation of the world-popular resort island Boracay. He described these moves as an introduction to Philippine tourism that adheres to sustainability.

" T h e d e v e l o p m e n t regarding the destination in terms of sustainability is a plus

factor, especially for travelers. The travelers now are very con-scious that they just don't go to the place because of the site, they want to visit a destination that is conscious of the envi-ronment and sustainability of the place," he noted.

For the part of the gov-ernment, the DOT continues to acknowledge and adapt to the current trends in travel and tourism. "We can no longer be just fixated with the headcount; we also have to look at the revenue stream. And we also have to look at the sustainability part of our development efforts," DOT Undersecretary Benito Bengzon, Jr. said in a DOT year-end assessment interview.

With the prominent Boracay project, Bengzon said the gov-ernment has since recognized the need to strengthen sus-tainable tourism efforts. Looking at other destinations in the country, he said stake-holders have also been visibly

Tourism revenue hits all-time high of $9.31bn in 2019

inspired by the successes achieved on the island.

In 2019, the government shifted its focus on restoring the pristine condition of tourist sites in Coron and El Nido in Palawan. In fact, it has tapped financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to fund its cleanup initiatives in the two top destinations.

2019 was an eventful year for the country's tourism sector as the Philippines also hosted the Southeast Asian Games which was estimated to have brought in a total of 137,563 room nights to hotels across the Metro Manila. "The immediate benefit there was the delegates were present so you would see the immediate spike or increase in the foreign visitor arrivals. For short to medium term effects, since all networks were focused on the games, the level of awareness on the country increased also," Bengzon shared.

The modern New Clark City sports facilities used in the recently-concluded 30th SEA Games include the 20,000-seater Athletics Stadium that has an International Associ-ation of Athletics Federations (IAAF) certified track, the 2,000-seater Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA)-certified and baklad-inspired Aquatics Center, and an Athletes Village.

DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat emphasized the government’s vision to have a sustainable tourism industry by facilitating integrated multi-industry growth areas.

“The national government is aiming for a more resilient economy by building regional growth centers across the country, and part and parcel of this outlook is ensuring the availability of public infrastruc-tures and facilities to enable and support the economic progress,” she said.

www.pna.gov.ph

Puerto Princesa, Palawan Coron, Palawan

Boracay

DOT welcomes 'Rising Stars in Travel' citation by Forbes.com

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has wel-comed the latest tourism-related

distinction received by the country, having been recently named as one of the “Rising Stars in Travel” by Forbes.com, the website of the American business and financial news publi-cation. In a recently pub-lished article by travel writer Jared Ranahan, the Philippines was named among seven countries that “have the potential to become major tourist des-tinations in a post-COVID world.”

Ranahan’s list also included six other coun-tries. Prefacing his article, Ranahan said these coun-tries all possess the qual-ities needed to become world-class destinations, as they have “pristine natural beauty, historic ruins, and fascinating cul-tural experiences can be e n c o u n t e r e d i n abundance”.

“We are pleased to have received this bit of good news, especially after our industry had been hit hard by the global health pandemic,” Tourism Sec-retary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said. “International recognition, especially by a well-respected publi-cation like Forbes, in this

post-COVID-19 world will go a long way in helping the Philippine tourism industry get back on its feet,” she said.

In naming the qualities that can boost the Philip-pines’ standing in the inter-national tourism market, the article recognized the variety of travel experi-ences that visitors can enjoy across our islands, “this massive archipelago has something to offer for even the most finicky of tourists,” began the portion on the Philippines.

To entice environmen-tally conscious travellers, the article also praised the rich diversity of the coun-try’s flora and fauna. “With the public’s health and safety in mind, we are pre-paring our tourism sites in areas now under the mod-ified general community quarantine for their gradual reopening for domestic tourism," Puyat added.

It praised the exciting main-stream cultural scene of Metro Manila, and also put the spotlight on popular beach destinations, such as Palawan and Boracay.

Philippines destinations on world’s radar

2020

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12 JUNE 2020