This might not be the typical expat blog, written by a German expat, living in the Philippines since 1999. It's different. In English and in German. Check it out! Enjoy reading!
Dies mag' nun wirklich nicht der typische Auswandererblog eines Deutschen auf den Philippinen sein. Er soll etwas anders sein. In Englisch und in Deutsch! Viel Spass beim Lesen!
You plan to move to the Philippines? Wollen Sie auf den Philippinen leben?
There are REALLY TONS of websites telling us how, why, maybe why not and when you'll be able to move to the Philippines. I only love to tell and explain some things "between the lines". Enjoy reading, be informed, have fun and be entertained too!
Ja, es gibt tonnenweise Webseiten, die Ihnen sagen wie, warum, vielleicht warum nicht und wann Sie am besten auf die Philippinen auswandern könnten. Ich möchte Ihnen in Zukunft "zwischen den Zeilen" einige zusätzlichen Dinge berichten und erzählen. Viel Spass beim Lesen und Gute Unterhaltung!
Visitors of germanexpatinthephilippines/Besucher dieser Webseite.Ich liebe meine Flaggensammlung!
The current rice wastage in the country could feed up to 2.8 million Filipinos every year, Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said on Tuesday, Dec. 3, as he pushed for the implementation of a “half-cup rice” policy in restaurants, canteens and even eateries.
Citing data from the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), Laurel also said that household rice wastage decreased to 255,000 metric tons in 2019, down from 340,000 metric tons in 2009.
Despite such improvement, Laurel said the matter is still very concerning.
“This progress is encouraging, but the numbers remain alarming,” he said.
The Philippines, according to him, needs to revisit the “‘half-cup rice’ proposal to encourage more responsible consumption.”
Based on the survey conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute from 2018-2019, the average Filipino household wastes 53 grams of cooked rice every day, equivalent to 6.4 grams of uncooked rice per person.
The survey data exclude wastage from restaurants and other establishments, making the total potentially higher.
In 2013, President Marcos, who was then senator, introduced the “half-cup rice” initiative by filing a bill that seeks to promote serving smaller portions to reduce waste and diversify meals.
PhilRice Executive Director Dr. John de Leon supported the push for smaller portions, saying it could also address health concerns.
“Serving half a cup of rice reduces waste and promotes healthier, more balanced diets,” he said.
Rice overconsumption has been linked to the rising prevalence of diabetes in the Philippines.
In 2021, one in 14 Filipinos had diabetes, according to the International Diabetes Federation.
Laurel said the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals aim to halve global food waste by 2030. Cutting rice wastage aligns with these objectives while easing the financial strain on rice imports and healthcare costs.
“This isn’t just about food security—it’s about sustainability and public health,” he went on.
Senator Loren Legarda (left) and DND Secretary Gilbert Teodoro (right)| JEL SANTOS/ MB PHOTO
The Philippines, which is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire and the Pacific Typhoon Belt, needs to update its 15-year-old disaster risk reduction law, two top officials of the country said during a plenary discussion of the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) in Pasay City on Wednesday, Oct. 16.
“The Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, which, upon consultation with DND Secretary Teodoro and his team, we hope to amend and revise to make it more up-to-date since it's a 15-year-old law,” Senator Loren Legarda said in her speech.
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said it was also timely to review the disaster risk reduction law which had been enacted 15 years ago.
“Because of changing circumstances, because of experiences in the field, we have been able to identify some gaps that need to be filled, some streamlining that needs to be done,” he said.
“And this is a constant exercise that should happen in most areas of government, but it is critical that it happens in disaster risk reduction in order to optimize and to focus government efforts in all aspects of the topic,” he added.
Teodoro thanked Legarda for being their “partner and champion” in the Senate and for her advocacy.
Teodoro emphasized the importance of collaboration between policymakers, legislators, and the executive branch in implementing laws effectively.
He highlighted the lawmaker’s point about the critical role of ongoing feedback between lawmakers and agencies, such as the Office of Civil Defense and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, in ensuring effective coordination and action.
“Hence, in this interaction between the legislators and us, it prevents the siloing because they are a source of important feedback and vice versa,” he said.
‘Leaving no one behind’
Leaving no one behind, according to Legarda, must drive the renovation of risk governance.
“We must take a look at hazards, risks, and vulnerabilities. Women, girls, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples' communities, marginalized groups must be at the heart of shaping the post-2030 disaster risk governance framework, post-Sendai, ensuring their leadership in building truly resilient and inclusive systems,” the senator said.
From risk assessment to recovery, she said persons with disabilities (PWDs) must be included in all stages of disaster risk management.
“At the same time, disability-inclusive governance is equally critical,” she added.
Legarda said early warning systems, evacuation procedures, recovery plans must be accessible to everyone, especially in an archipelago of 110 million Filipinos in the most far-flung islands and the highest mountains, with inland rivers and lakes.
The lawmaker stressed that resilience cannot be achieved by working in silos, noting that governments sometimes are “very exclusive to each other and not inclusive.”
“Kanya-kanya, in the Tagalog word, to each his own, and that would spell disaster. Governance, the private sector, civil society, local communities, the education sector, all must collaborate to create inclusive and innovative solutions,” she said.
“Most importantly, local communities who are on the frontlines, whether you are in the provincial level, city, municipality, even barangay, purok, and sitio, at the frontlines of preparedness and disaster response in the whole scheme of things.”
Per the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Philippines is situated both the Pacific Ring of Fire and the Typhoon Belt due to its unique geography.
Environment Secretary Loyzaga said this has “perennially bore the brunt of ever-increasing natural disasters due to rapid and slow onset climate and weather-related hazards.”
“Our large growing population and our steady economic growth are factors resulting in the singular distinction of being among the world’s countries at highest risk for several years running,” she said earlier.
She said this distinction underscores the reality that climate hazards are a fact of life for all Filipinos.
More than 350,000 kilograms of trash were collected from 250 coastal sites nationwide during the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) held on Saturday, Sept. 21, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said.
The cleanup drive, which seeks to raise awareness about the impact of plastic pollution on marine life and ecosystems, gathered a total of 352,479 kilograms of trash and debris, ranging from plastics to other waste materials.
According to DENR, a total of 74,075 volunteers from 1,913 government, academe, and private sector organizations collected trash at beaches, riverbanks, and coastlines.
The agency said the cleanup drive started from the northernmost Pasuquin municipality in the Ilocos Region to the southernmost Gian municipality in the Socksargen Region.
The information gathered during the cleanup, according to the DENR, will help identify the kinds of waste impacting the nation's waters, informing future efforts in conservation, waste recovery, and resource utilization. Recyclable trash will be delivered to the nearest Materials Recovery Facility (MRF).
Environment Secretary Maria Antonia “Toni” Yulo-Loyzaga said that this year represents a key milestone in the Philippines' ongoing commitment to coastal cleanliness and environmental conservation.
“With the ICC 2024 theme, ‘Clean Seas for Blue Economy’, this year’s cleanup not only aimed to address immediate pollution but also sought to inspire long-term behavioral changes among communities, encouraging everyone to reduce waste and participate in ongoing clean-up initiatives,” she said in her speech.
“Today, we witnessed an incredible outpouring of support and dedication from Filipinos who care deeply about our environment. As we celebrate the 30th year of the International Coastal Cleanup in the Philippines, we reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding our coastal resources and promoting sustainable practices that protect our marine ecosystems,” she went on.
President Marcos had earlier identified climate change and improper waste disposal as key contributors to the severe flooding in Metro Manila.
The ICC is one of the world’s largest volunteer initiatives, with over 150 countries and millions of participants annually. The Philippines began taking part in the ICC around 1994, and in 2003, the government formalized its participation through Presidential Proclamation 470, designating the third Saturday of September as the official ICC day in the country.
The Philippines has once again been recognized as an “Emerging Muslim-friendly non-Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) destination” in the Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2024 for the second consecutive year, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said on Saturday, June 1.
The citation was announced at the Halal in Travel Global Summit in Singapore on Thursday, May 30, coinciding with the release of the annual Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI), which benchmarks destinations in the Muslim travel market.
“In its 2024 results, the GMTI described the Philippines as an ‘Emerging Muslim-friendly non-OIC Destination’ focusing on building capacity to welcome tourists through various initiatives,” the tourism department said in a statement.
These include offering Halal food throughout the destination and incorporating Muslim-friendly amenities at major tourist attractions, it added.
According to the DOT, tourism authorities have made Halal tourism a top priority, demonstrated by their actions to enhance the Halal tourism portfolio and increase awareness among stakeholders about the values and practices significant to Muslim travelers.
Mastercard said the Philippines logged an increase in its score on communications compared to 2023.
“Among non-OIC destinations, the Philippines has steadily increased its appeal to Muslim tourists by strategically developing their Halal Tourism portfolio, enhancing halal accreditation of hotels and restaurants, and conducting Halal awareness orientations. This effort builds on their achievement of winning the Emerging Muslim-friendly Destination of the Year award in last year’s Halal in Travel Global Summit, based on GMTI 2023 results,” it stated.
Tourism Secretary Christina G. Frasco said the DOT acknowledges the importance and potential of Halal Tourism in enhancing the growth and diversity of the country's tourism industry.
“As a country known for its warm hospitality, rich cultural heritage, and breathtaking natural attractions, catering to the needs of Muslim travelers through the development of Halal Tourism is crucial in ensuring that we raise our competitiveness in the global tourism market," she stated.
The DOT chief said Halal Tourism presents a rapidly growing market segment.
“By prioritizing this, we not only demonstrate our commitment to inclusivity and cultural sensitivity but also open up opportunities to attract more Muslim travelers from around the world, while expanding markets for our tourism stakeholders and creating more livelihood and employment for our fellow Filipinos,” said Frasco.
The summit coincided with President Marcos' state visit to Brunei Darussalam, during which Frasco signed a tourism cooperation agreement with her counterpart to enhance Halal Tourism in the Philippines, among other initiatives, according to the agency.
Halal Tourism is a key focus of the recently approved National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) for 2023 to 2028.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco (Photo by DOT)
The Philippines exceeded its goal of having 4.8 million international tourist arrivals before the end of 2023.
This was announced by Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco during the agency’s first Philippine Golf Tourism Summit held at Grand Hyatt Manila on Tuesday, Nov. 28.
“As of Nov. 27, 2023, the country has registered a total of 4,822,530 million visitors who visited the country, with foreign tourists still comprising the bulk of arrivals by 91.88 percent or 4,430,725, while the remaining 8.12 percent or 391,805 are returning overseas Filipinos,” the agency said in its statement.
According to the tourism department, South Korea remains the Philippines’ top source market for foreign arrivals which brought in 1,271,602 tourists or 26.37 percent of the total.
The USA came in second with 797,181 tourists (16.53 percent), followed by Japan with 272,735 tourists (5.66 percent), China with 242,107 tourists (5.02 percent), and Australia with 225,464 tourists (4.68 percent).
Frasco said the agency targeted 4.8 million international arrivals by the end of 2023.
“We have now welcomed over 4.82 million international visitors, contributing an impressive P404 billion in foreign visitor receipts to date underscoring the value of tourism to our economy,” she stated.
“Tourism continues to drive growth and provide income and jobs nationwide.”
Frasco shared the report of the country’s national economic managers, which indicates that the Philippines' second-largest source of economic growth is tourism.
“This cements our position as one of the strongest pillars of the Philippine economy that employs no less than 5.35 million Filipinos in the tourism industry sector, ensuring jobs, livelihood, and the well-being of communities all over the country,” she went on.
The chief of the tourism department said that the other factors that contributed to these accomplishments included the relaxation of visa requirements, the construction of tourist rest areas, the creation of the first-ever multi-platform tourist call center, the building of tourism roads, the growth of dive, heritage, and cultural tourism caravans, the development of cruise, education, medical, gastronomy, and sports tourism,among others.
Present during the event were tourism and golf industry leaders and stakeholders.
The summit was organized by the agency’s Office of Product Development of Golf Tourism and Special Projects.
The Filipinos have spoken—Palawan is their most preferred tourist destination in the country.
In the recent Pahayag 2023 Second Quarter Survey (PQ2), the top travel destinations preferred by Filipinos were revealed, showing Palawan ranking first on the list.
“Palawan emerged as the most preferred travel destination, with an impressive 23 percent of respondents expressing their desire to visit the breathtaking province," the survey bared.
"Known for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and rich marine biodiversity, Palawan has captured the hearts of many Filipinos," it added.
The study provided valuable insights into the travel preferences of Filipinos and highlights the diverse choices among different regions of the country.
Aside from Palawan, Baguio, Cebu, Siargao, and Aklan also claimed their spots in the Top 5.
"Baguio City, tagged as the Summer Capital of the Philippines, secured the second position, with 16 percent of respondents selecting it as their preferred destination. Famous for its cool climate, scenic landscapes, and vibrant culture, Baguio City continues to attract travelers seeking a unique experience," the survey firm stated.
"Cebu and Siargao claimed the third and fourth spots, respectively, with nine percent of respondents choosing Cebu and nine percent opting for Siargao. Notably, Cebu stood out as the preferred destination among Visayans, with a significant 21 percent of respondents from the region expressing their interest in visiting the province. Siargao, on the other hand, captivated the attention of Mindanaoans, with 13 percent of respondents from the region selecting it as their preferred destination," it added.
Moreover, Aklan, home to the renowned Boracay Island, garnered eight percent of the respondents' preference.
"The stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife of Boracay continue to attract visitors from around the world," the firm said.
In addition, boasting its picturesque landscapes and unique culture, Batanes secured six percent of the respondents' preference, particularly favored by residents of North-Central Luzon with a significant 10 percent expressing their desire to visit.
Bohol and Davao also made it to the list, with 4 percent and 3 percent of respondents selecting them, respectively.
"Davao, popular for its natural wonders and vibrant city life, resonated well with Mindanaoans, with 10 percent of respondents from the region showing interest in exploring the province," the survey firm said.
The survey results underline the diverse preferences and interests of Filipinos when it comes to travel destinations, it was highlighted.
"The enchanting beauty of Palawan, the charm of Baguio City, and the cultural experiences offered by Cebu, Siargao, Aklan, Batanes, Bohol, and Davao have all contributed to their popularity among travelers," Pahayag noted.
"The Department of Tourism (DOT) of the Philippines has reaffirmed its commitment to showcasing the unparalleled beauty and attractions of the country with the launch of its new tagline, 'LOVE the Philippines'. This new tagline encapsulates the spirit of appreciation and admiration for the diverse landscapes, rich culture, and warm hospitality that the Philippines has to offer," it added.
The PQ2 is an independent and non-commissioned survey conducted by PUBLiCUS Asia, Inc. from June 7 to 12 2023. It is a nationwide purposive survey with 1,500 respondents randomly drawn from a market research panel of over 200,000 Filipinos.
Only registered Filipino voters were included in the sample, ensuring that the results accurately represent the sentiments of the voting population, it was disclosed.
The Philippine tourism has generated P3.33-billion business leads as a result of the Department of Tourism's (DOT) promotion and post-pandemic efforts, Tourism Secretary Christina G. Frasco disclosed.
(Department of Tourism)
In a media briefing, Frasco discussed the tourism roadmap for the country under the post-pandemic economy and the efforts of the DOT to transform the Philippines into a "tourism powerhouse in Asia."
“Through the efforts of the DOT and our attached agency, the Tourism Promotions Board, we have ushered in no less than P3.33 billion in estimated sales leads generated out of the various international expos that we have participated in across all hemispheres in the world – in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, the Americas and the like," she bared.
"Domestically, we have also tried to connect our regions to each other in terms of promotions and access to connectivity and travel opportunities such as our North Luzon Travel Expo, our Mindanao Travel Expo, and soon — our Central Philippines Travel Expo, because admittedly, siguro meron pa tayong mga kababayan na living in Luzon for example, that have never been to Mindanao, living in Central Visayas, that have never been to the hinterlands of northern Luzon,” the tourism chief added.
Frasco also talked about the launch of the "enhanced tourism slogan", noting that while the agency will continue to market the country as a “fun destination”, it would also highlight that the Philippines is "a destination with a rich and diverse Filipino culture that can offer substantial, immersive, and purposeful experiences, perfectly matched with the love and warm hospitality of the Filipino people."
“We are enhancing the tourism slogan and we'll definitely take into consideration the opinion of our various stakeholders. May I just highlight that global trends, supported by data from various reliable and reputable tourism-related publications, have indicated that post-pandemic, people's reasons for travel have also changed, chief of which is that people now wish to have some sense of substantive, immersive, and cultural authentic experiences where they have opportunities to get to know the culture of the place that they're visiting. People also value the opportunity to get to know communities," she noted.
"These trends correspond very well to the assets of Philippines tourism that have yet to be fully maximized – our culture, our people, our communities. And that is why the enhanced tourism slogan will give our country an opportunity to market itself not just as a fun destination, which it will continue to be, but also a destination for everything else that includes highlighting our culture and our people.”
Meanwhile, Frasco also highlighted the salience of prioritizing infrastructure, connectivity, and digitalization.
“May I also qualify that the promotion of the Philippines tourism does not hinge on a branding campaign alone. More importantly, it highly depends on product development, improving aspects of the Philippine tourism industry that situates our country lower than our ASEAN neighbors,” she said.
She also stressed the need for tourism infrastructure, discussing the existing flagship tourism enterprise zones (TEZ) that are ready for investment which include San Vicente, Palawan; Panglao Island in Bohol, Corregidor Island in Cavite; Mt. Samat in Bataan; Clark, Pampanga; the vicinity of Rizal Park where the Manila Ocean Park is presently located; and 15 other registered TEZs.
