Shear line to dampen Visayas, Mindanao

By PNA

The shear line and the northeast monsoon will continue to dampen most parts of the country on Monday, the weather bureau said.

Scattered rain showers and thunderstorms caused by the shear line will prevail in Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Caraga and Davao Region.

Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region and Bicol regions and the provinces of Aurora, Quezon, Marinduque and Romblon will also have rain showers caused by the northeast monsoon.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said these areas may possibly experience flash floods or landslides due to moderate to heavy rains.

Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon will also cause light rains in the rest of Luzon.

The rest of Mindanao, on the other hand, will have isolated rain showers caused by localized thunderstorms.

Moderate to strong winds and moderate to rough seas will prevail in Luzon, the Visayas, and the eastern section of Mindanao.

Rough to very rough seas are forecast over the northern, eastern, western and southern seaboards of Luzon, the eastern and western seaboards of the Visayas, and the eastern seaboard of Mindanao.

PAGASA advised fishing boats and other small sea vessels not to venture into the sea, and larger sea vessels are also alerted against big waves.

PSAC bats for ‘e-Travel’ app for inbound travelers

by Argyll Cyrus Geducos, MB

Malacañang said that the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) was working on a mobile application called “e-Travel,” which would integrate all of the information on immigration, customs, health, and quarantine of travelers entering the Philippines.

OFWs at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Ali Vicoy/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said this after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. met with the PSAC on Jan. 26, wherein they presented their “Quick Wins” recommendations to boost the country’s tourism industry. 

In a statement, Garafil said the application aims to allow groups or families to input data easier. The database also includes tourist destinations, transport, hotel information, and traffic condition.

Tourists can complete the form through the app before boarding or while onboard the plane if they have an internet connection.

The “e-Travel” mobile application could be deployed by February.

Meanwhile, President Marcos highlighted the importance of digitalization, which, he said, could allow tourists to fill out forms quickly while traveling.

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He added that digitalization would enable authorities to ensure security at the borders.

The Quick Wins proposals aim to further boost the country’s tourism industry by improving airport infrastructure and operations, managing the national brand and image, and promoting tourism investments.

The recommendations include the following:

• The implementation of the Value-Added Tax (VAT) Refund Program for foreign tourists by 2024
• The rollout of e-visa by 2023, prioritizing China and India
• The removal of the One Health Pass, or requiring only one form for health, immigration, and customs
• The revocation of outdated advisories and loud-speaker announcements in the country’s airports
• The automatic inclusion of travel tax in all airline tickets

Data showed that 2.65 million visitors entered the Philippines from February to December 2022. This figure comprised 2.02 million foreign tourists and 628,445 Filipinos overseas.

The PSAC, led by Sabin Aboitiz, President/CEO at Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc., is composed of business leaders and industry experts providing technical advice to the President in achieving the government’s economic objectives in six key sectors — agriculture, digital infrastructure, healthcare, infrastructure, jobs generation, and tourism.

Marcos OKs VAT refund program for foreign tourists

by Argyll Cyrus Geducos, MB

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has approved the recommendation to implement the Value-Added Tax (VAT) Refund Program for foreign tourists by 2024 to boost tourist arrivals in the country.

TOURISTS enjoy the sunset at world-famous Boracay Island in Malay town, Aklan province. (Tara Yap)

Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said this after Marcos met with the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) Tourism Sector Group, which presented its “Quick Wins” recommendations to the Chief Executive on Jan. 26. 

In a statement, Garafil said President Marcos would issue an executive order to implement the tax refund program, which is also being carried out in other countries.

The Quick Wins proposals aim to boost the country’s tourism industry by improving airport infrastructure and operations, managing the national brand and image, and promoting tourism investments.

Aside from the VAT Refund Program for foreign tourists, other PSAC Quick Wins recommendations approved by the President include the rollout of e-visa by 2023, prioritizing China and India; and the removal of One Health Pass (OHP) or requirement of one form only for health, immigration, and customs.

The PSAC comprises business leaders and industry experts providing technical advice to the President in achieving the government’s economic objectives in six key sectors — agriculture, digital infrastructure, healthcare, infrastructure, jobs generation, and tourism. 

Sabin Aboitiz, President/CEO at Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc., serves as the PSAC lead convener.

The Philippines recorded 2.65 million visitors from February to December 2022, over 2 million of which were foreign tourists.

This figure is higher than the 2021 tourist arrivals of 163,879 but still significantly lower than the pre-pandemic level of 8.26 million.

This year, the Department of Tourism (DOT) targets to welcome 4.8 million visitors, which could generate P2.5

Alex Eala downs Belarusian foe, enters main draw of Thailand Open

by Manila Bulletin Sports

By NIKOLE JAVIER 

Alex Eala outlasted Kristine Dmitruk of Belarus, 6-2, 7-5, to barge into the main draw of the Thailand Open on Sunday, Jan. 29, at the True Arena in Hua Hin.

Alex Eala needed to win two matches to enter the Thailand Open main draw round. (From Thailand Open Facebook page)

The reigning US Open Girls champion started on right footing, similar to her first-round win against Chinese foe Xinyu Han the day prior and gained an early 6-2 advantage to keep herself cushioned going into the next set. 

However, the ninth-seeded Dmitruk got over her scrappy start and eased into the second set  after surging into a 5-4 lead and even looked poised to force the decider. 

But right before the Belarusian could completely blindside the 17-year-old Filipina, Eala tied the score at 5-all and broke Dmirtuk’s serve for the 6-5 lead and ultimately complete her victory after one hour and 19 minutes.

With the victory, Eala has arranged a first-round main draw meeting with sixth seed Tatjana Maria of Germany.

The 35-year-old Maria is currently ranked 71st in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and boasts of a semifinal finish at the 2022 Wimbledon Championships.