PH exceeds goal of 4.8M international visitor arrivals, says DOT

BY JEL SANTOS

Nov 28, 2023 09:28 PM

  

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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.

Palawan reigns as the 'most preferred tourist destination' for Filipinos, survey says

BY JEL SANTOS

Jun 29, 2023 12:51 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• (PHOTO:https://palawantourismcouncil.com/tourist-destinations/el-nido/#)

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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.

PH tourism promotion efforts generate P3-B business leads — DOT

BY JEL SANTOS

May 26, 2023 09:59 AM

  

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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.

Oriental Mindoro oil spill now affecting tourist spots—DOT

by Jel Santos

Tourist destinations in Oriental Mindoro and nearby provinces are now affected by the oil spill caused by sinking of the motor tanker (MT) Princess Empress, the Department of Tourism (DOT) has disclosed.

Tourism Secretary Christina G. Frasco ordered the DOT Regional Offices in MIMAROPA and Western Visayas to closely monitor the situation and coordinate with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and concerned local government units (LGUs) following the PCG report last Feb. 28 about the oil spill from MT Princess Empress which capsized the coast of Naujan, Oriental Mindoro and was reportedly carrying 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil as cargo.

photo: DENR

Based on the information gathered by the agency, the oil spill has affected several Marine Protected Areas in the Municipality of Pola in Oriental Mindoro, such as the KingFisher Reserve, St. John the Baptist Marine Sanctuary, Song of the Sea Fish Sanctuary, Stella Mariz Fish Sanctuary, Bacawan Fish Sanctuary, St. Peter the Rock Fish Sanctuary, and the San Isidro Labrador Fish Sanctuary.  1 

Beach resorts such as Bihiya Beach, 3 Cottage, Long Beach K. I, Aguada Beach Resort, Oloroso Beach Resort, Munting Buhangin Tagumpay Beach Resort, and Buhay na Tubig White Beach Resort in Oriental Mindoro have also been affected.

To address this problem, coastal clean-up is now being done in the affected areas as an immediate solution to prevent further damage.

“The DOT notes with seriousness the oil spill incident and its grave impact on the tourism industry, including disruptions in the livelihood of the affected communities, tourism-dependent businesses, and recreational activities,” Frasco said.

“Scuba diving, beach, and cruise tourism depend on the region’s coastal resources, and are also its major tourism products. If unmitigated, the oil spill can have adverse impacts on three of the world-class dive destinations in the Philippines, specifically the Verde Island passage and Apo Reef in Mindoro, and Coron’s World War II Wrecks and Philippine Dugong,” she went on.

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The effects of the oil spill have also reached the Municipality of Caluya in the Province of Antique, particularly along the shorelines of Sitio Sabang, Barangay Tinogbo, Liwagao Island, Barangay Sibolo, and Sitio Tambak in Barangay Semirara. At present, none of the tourist attractions in these areas have been affected, but the LGUs, together with the PCG, have been conducting clean-ups, with the support from the private sector who provided personal protective equipment.

The Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan is preparing, as well, for the possibility of the effects of the oil spill reaching its area of jurisdiction. The PCG and the Malay Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office are continuously conducting roving and monitoring along the coasts of Boracay, and have prepositioned oil slick booms in strategic areas around the island in anticipation of the oil spills.

The DOT Western Visayas Office is also actively coordinating with the LGU of Malay in terms of extending possible assistance to tourists in Boracay in case the spillage reaches the island’s coastal area, and has likewise issued advisories on the areas affected by the oil spill.

Frasco added that cruise tourism  in the region could also be affected; with 34 cruise ships expected to call in Mindoro, Romblon, Marinduque, and Palawan for the year.

“The DOT, in coordination with its regional offices, commits to continuously coordinate with agencies such as the DENR, EMB, PCG, and concerned LGUs on any update concerning the oil spill, and in searching for urgent mitigating measures to address the harmful effects of the incident to marine life, world-class dive sites, and tourist attractions,” the tourism secretary assured.

Meanwhile, the DOT noted that none of the tourist attractions in the municipalities of Naujan, Victoria, and Pinamalayan in Oriental Mindoro have been affected by the oil spill, as of press time. The Naujan Lake, a major tourist attraction, has no connection with the ocean and will not be affected by the oil spill. The DOT is also in close coordination with officers of the Tubbataha Management Office who are monitoring the situation in Tubbataha Reef, which is along the Municipality of Cagayancillo in Palawan. Based on the latest update, there are no reported effects yet of the oil spill in the area.

 

Marcos eyes improved cropping schedule to protect local production from agri imports

by Jel Santos

President and Agriculture Secretary Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday, Feb. 28, said he wants a detailed cropping schedule to ensure that agricultural imports will not harm local production.

(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

This came after he met with officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and other concerned agencies.

Marcos also requested that agriculture officials provide more information about the cyclical nature of crops in the Philippines in order to avoid importing products during harvest season.

When sourcing products from other countries, the government, according to the chief executive, must consider the sensitivities of local cropping, particularly their cyclical nature.

“Hindi tayo nag-i-import ng kahit anong produkto pagka maraming production para naman magamit natin lahat ng production na galing sa Pilipinas ( We do not import any product when there is a lot of products so that we can use all the production that comes from the Philippines),” said Marcos.

“Kung mag-i-import lang tayo, kung talagang may kulang and that’s what I mean about the cyclical nature of crops, that we have to be sensitive to that(If we only import, if something is really lacking and that’s what I mean about the cyclical nature of crops, that we have to be sensitive to that),” he continued.

Marcos said that, in response to climate change, Filipino farmers must change their planting schedule in some areas of the Philippines to take advantage of the moving rainy season, adding it may bring some benefits because farmers can have three croppings a year. 

The cyclical nature of agriculture already exists, the President said, adding, however, that with the advent of climate change, which complicates things, the sector should adjust accordingly.

Marcos said the agriculture’s cyclical nature already exists, and  that with the advent of climate change, which complicates matters, the sector should adjust accordingly.

Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries (AFF) performed modestly last year, at 0.5 percent, data showed.

The modest growth was attributed to positive Gross Value Added (GVA) growth of 2.3 percent in livestock and 6.7 percent in poultry, despite a -1.1 percent and -3.5 percent decline in the performance of the crops and fisheries subsectors, respectively.

The DA is aiming for an increase in the agriculture sector’s growth rate between 2023 and 2028 of 1.8 percent to 3.3 percent under the Philippine Development Plan of the Marcos administration.

 

Imported red onions cheaper than local counterpart in NCR

by Jel Santos

Imported red onions in various markets in the National Capital Region (NCR) are at least P40 cheaper than local red onions, the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported.

Red onions (Photo courtesy of Pixabay)

Based on the price monitoring of the agriculture department as of Friday, Jan.27, imported red onions are being sold for P200 to P250 per kilo, while local red onions are priced P240 to P350 a kilo.

The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) has disclosed in a recent “Laging Handa” briefing that the first batch of imported onions have arrived in the country, saying that 588 metric tons (MT) of onions– 218 MT of yellow onions and 370 MT of red onions– are now stored at cold storage facilities.

Meanwhile, the price of imported white onions monitored by the DA are higher than of locally harvested white onions. Per kilo, imported onions are priced P250 to P260; local white onions cost P170 to P300 a kilo.

The agriculture department had earlier predicted that prices of onions would drop once the of imports arrive in the country before the end of January.

Assistant Secretary Rex Estoperez, DA deputy spokesperson, said in an earlier interview that they are expecting the price of onions to go as low as P150 to P200 per kilo.

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He said the agriculture department has calibrated the time and volume of the importation to ensure that the imported onions will not overlap with the local harvest of onion growers.

This is because the peak of harvest for local onion growers in the country is in mid-February, explained Estoperez.

Some groups of farmers have earlier expressed worry that the public would patronize imported onions over local harvests.

Prior to the approval of onion importation, Estoperez himself admitted that the price of onion in the country has “gotten out of control.”

The price of onions in some markets went as high as P720 per kilo during the holiday season.

PH gears for $2-B export of durian, other tropical fruits to China

by Jel Santos, MB

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is now preparing for the country’s $2.09-billion fruit export to China, which primarily includes durian and other tropical fruits.

Durian (MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

During the recent state visit to China, the protocols for “phytosanitary requirements for the export of fresh durians from the Philippines to China” were covered by the 14 bilateral agreements signed as the Philippine delegation led by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos met with Chinese officials, according to the Office of the Press Secretary. 

“There has been created what we are now calling the ‘Durian Protocol’ because they are opening their trade to imports of durian and other agricultural products from the Philippines, so that we can regress the imbalance in our imports and exports from China,” Marcos disclosed after his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping last week

In a press briefing on Tuesday, Jan. 10, Agriculture Assistant Secretary Rex Estoperez, who serves as DA’s deputy spokesperson, revealed that the steps to begin the durian export to China are now being finalized.

“Iyon pong formal na pagmi-meeting namin with our delegation sa China po ay mangyayari pa po iyan sa Friday together with the Executive Committee, pero ang pagkakaalam ko lang iyong pina-finalize ngayon is iyong export natin po ng Durian doon sa China (Our formal meeting with the Philippine delegation in China will be held this Friday, together with the Executive Committee, but as far as I know, we are now currently finalizing our durian export to China),” the official said.

On Monday, Jan. 9, DA Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban and Assistant Secretary for Operations Arnel De Mesa called for a special meeting with the Regional Executive Directors (REDs) and Bureau of Plant Industry officials to discuss plans for the export project. 

The DA is set to prepare for the expansion of durian production in the country to meet the demands of the Chinese market for fresh durians. During the meeting, Panganiban directed the concerned REDs to identify the potential areas for expansion and formulate the necessary work and financial plans to sustain the durian export.

Aside from durian, also part of the fruit export deal with China are coconuts and bananas.

Green Revolution 2.0 to increase fruits, vegetable production; improve nutrition

by Jel Santos, MB

Aiming to increase the production and supply of fresh fruits and vegetables, the government has launched the Green Revolution 2.0 initiative to improve Filipinos’ nutrition by encouraging everyone to plant fruits and vegetables in their homes.

FARMERS in Western Visayas region are urged to adapt to climate-resilient farming. (DA-6)

In a statement from the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS), the government talked about the Department of Agriculture’s (DA’s) Green Revolution 2.0: Plants for Bountiful Barangays Movement (Luntiang Ani ng Mamayan), which the Bureau of Plant Industry recently launched at the Rizal Park in Manila.

“The Green Revolution 2.0 is an initiative that seeks to improve the nutrition of Filipinos by increasing the production and supply of fresh fruits and vegetables in urban, peri-urban, and rural areas,” the statement disclosed.

“It aims to encourage every Filipino to plant vegetables in their homes to help ease the burden of the country’s food system and supply chain,” it added.

During the kick-off ceremony, a ceremonial planting of “ampatola” or grafted ampalaya, scion, patola, and rootstock was held.

According to the DA, the project aims to turn communities into patches of green edible landscapes through the establishment of vegetable gardens.

“The DA will set up provincial production centers that will serve as consolidation areas for producers and consumers in order to ensure the sustainability of the program,” the OPS revealed.

Moreover, the agency also earmarked funds to support the purchase of inputs, such as seeds and garden materials, to be provided to participating barangays.

Agricultural damage of Typhoons ‘Maymay’, ‘Neneng’ reaches P583.45M — DA

by Jel Santos, MB

The agricultural damage caused by Typhoons “Maymay” and “Neneng” has reached P583.45 million, the Department of Agriculture (DA) bared on Friday, Oct. 21.

FLOOD caused by severe tropical storm ‘Neneng’ shuts down the Claveria Detour Bridge on the Manila North Road in Claveria, Cagayan on Sunday, Oct. 16. (DPWH/Alain Garret Badiang)

Per the DA’s Bulletin No. 5, the areas covered in the estimate are Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos Region, and Cagayan Valley, devastating 21,986 hectares of agricultural areas. 

Around 21,324 farmers and fishers have been affected by Maymay and Neneng.

The agriculture department pegged the production loss at 36,872 metric tons.

Rice, corn, high-value crops, livestock and poultry, and fisheries are among the commodities affected, the DA said.

The agriculture department explained that the values of damage and losses for Maymay and Neneng have been combined as the “two tropical cyclones occurred in a span of one week and affected the same agricultural areas in CAR, Ilocos Region and Cagayan Valley.” 

According to the DA, it is constantly coordinating with concerned national government agencies, local government units, and other disaster risk reduction and management-related offices on the impact of tropical cyclones, as well as available resources for interventions and assistance.

Mobile Kadiwa centers are being prepared for deployment in areas impacted by Maymay and Neneng in order to stabilize agri-fishery commodity prices and supply, it added.

Here is the list of aid made available by the DA for affected farmers and fishers:

• Rice, corn and assorted vegetable seeds
• Drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry
• Fingerlings and assistance to affected fisherfolk from Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)
• Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program from the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) with loanable amount of up to P25,000 payable in three years at zero interest
• Quick Response Fund (QRF) for the rehabilitation of affected areas

DA: Karding’s agricultural damage climbs to P1.29B

by Jel Santos, Manila Bulletin

The agricultural damage wrought by super typhoon Karding has reached P1.29 billion, according to the latest data released by the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday, Sept. 27.

Super Typhoon Karding’s strong gusts caused rice crops to bow in Mayantoc, Tarlac. (Screenshot taken from a video posted on Mayantoc Agriculture FB)

Based on the DA’s Bulletin No. 5 that was issued at 1 p.m., the areas covered in the estimate are Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and Bicol Region.

Affected by Karding’s devastation are 82,158 farmers and fisherfolk, it added.

The DA said 141,312 hectares of agricultural areas have been hit by the super typhoon. This translates to 72,231 metric tons of production loss.

“Affected commodities include rice, corn, high-value crops, livestock and poultry, and fisheries,” the agriculture department said.

As the estimate of agricultural damage went up, the DA has also increased the assistance it will provide to Karding-affected farmers and fishers.

The agriculture department said it will give farmers P27.47 million worth of rice seeds, P13.23 million worth of corn seeds, and P12.64 million worth of assorted vegetable seeds.

They will also receive P2.45 million worth of animal heads, drugs, and biologics for livestock and poultry, the DA added.