Posts Tagged ‘Philippines’
Ayala Museum Offers Family Membership Deal
The Ayala Museum
Membership card entitles you to unlimited free admission for you, your spouse and kids below 18 years old to all exhibitions, invitations to members-only sale held every June and October, invitation to two museum exhibit openings, 10 percent cash discount at the Museum Shop, 20 to 50 percent on all programs, lectures, workshops, symposia and other activities, and 10 percent cash discount or 5 percent credit card discount at the M Cafe.
Ayala Museum is the art and history museum located at the corner of Makati Avenue and De la Rosa Street in Makati City, Metro Manila, the Philippines. It is considered one of the most important private institutions of Philippine art and culture.
Envisioned in the 1950s by Filipino abstract painter Fernando Zobel, the Ayala Museum was established in 1967 under the auspices of Ayala Foundation, Inc. It began as a museum of Philippine history and iconography, and transformed itself into a museum of fine arts and history as the 20th century drew to a close.
It also has the M Café, a gathering spot for souls passionate about art and culture, as well as sophisticated fusion food that features modern interpretations of traditional Asian food.
Buy the Family Membership voucher through A-Deals.com
Sources: A-Deals.com | Wikipedia
Photo by treetop_apple_juice at Flickr.com
_
Canadian Mining Companies Invest in Philippines
Small-scale gold mining in the Philippines
TVI Pacific Inc. and Mindoro Resources Ltd. announced the signing of an agreement on TVI’s strategic private placement in Mindoro as well as the possibility of a joint venture over the Agata nickel project in Surigao del Norte and Pan de Azucar project in Iloilo. Both Canadian mining groups are focused on gold, copper and nickel production and exploration in the Philippines.
TVI said under the agreement, it would infuse C$3.15 million in Mindoro Resources Ltd. and would have the exclusive right or option to enter into joint venture arrangements with Mindoro with respect to Agata and Pan de Azucar projects. TVI said under the agreement, it would advance a bridge loan of C$968,969 pursuant to a limited security promissory note.
Read more at Manila Standard Today
Photo by getolympus at Flickr.com
_
Ruffa Gutierrez Launches Her Website
One of the splash pages in iloveruffag.com
She just tweeted, “I’m LIVEEE!! Check me out at http://t.co/5pwH2lq8“. Her biography page starts with “Sharmaine Ruffa Gutierrez, more popularly known as Ruffa Gutierrez…” but quips something that’s bound to raise eyebrows, “Considered showbiz royalty in the Philippines…” and ends it with “To date, Ruffa remains to be one of the most in demand celebrities in the Philippines and one of its most celebrated faces.” Wow!
But you gotta love the photos!
Website link: http://iloveruffag.com/
Photo from iloveruffag.com
_
Hong Kong Casino Giant Melco May Partner with Henry Sy Jr.
News broke today that casino operator Melco Crown Entertainment Limited (MPEL) is exploring options to open a casino in the Philippines. The company is said to be partnering on a billion-dollar casino resort in Manilla, the capital city. The latest rumors have Melco partnering with the Philippines’ richest man Henry Sy Jr. The deal would see a 50-50 joint venture between the casino, hotels, and entertainment available at the property.
The city, which had 1.7 million people as of 2010, is the second most populous city in the nation. The Philippines are hoping to turn a portion of the Manilla region into a gaming area similar to the Las Vegas strip.
Read more at Seeking Alpha
Photo by paomont at Flickr.com
_
Globe GCash Soon Good for Online Purchases
Globe Telecom's GCash mobile wallet
At the GSM Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, Globe Telecom launched a customer strategy for the unbanked — paying for mobile apps and other Web goods through GCash, its internationally acclaimed micro payment service that transforms a mobile phone into a virtual wallet for money transfers at the speed and cost of a text message.
Though the Philippines has over 70 million mobile phone subscribers that have catapulted it as the world’s text messaging capital, its market is traditionally constrained by low credit card ownership that hampers full participation in today’s digital life.
To start off the service, Globe has partnered with Research in Motion (RIM) to allow Globe subscribers using BlackBerry devices to charge purchases for mobile applications from the BlackBerry App World onto their monthly-postpaid bill or prepaid account credits. The new service is expected to roll out in the second quarter this year.
A tie-up with American Express will roll out an online payment solution that will enable Globe subscribers to purchase goods such as electronics, toys, apparel, and many other goods from popular US and UK online sites that accept American Express.
Read more at CRM Innovation
Photo by GSMA MMU at Flickr.com
_
Wells Fargo to Outsource to the Philippines
Wells Fargo Center sign
Despite all the political pressures in the United States for businesses not to outsource, the second largest American banking company, Wells Fargo and Co., will proceed in moving some its business support activities to the Philippines. For this, the U.S. bank has set up Wells Fargo Philippines Solutions Inc., which is following the footsetps of other banking giants such as JP Morgan Chase and Citigroup.
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is an American multinational diversified financial services company with operations around the world. It is the second largest bank in the United States in terms of deposits, home mortgage servicing, and debit cards. Wells Fargo is headquartered in San Francisco, California, but has major “hubquarters” in other cities throughout the country. In 2011, Wells Fargo had more than 9,000 retail branches and 12,231 automated teller machines in 39 states and the District of Columbia. It has over 270,000 employees and over 70 million customers.
Sources: Interaksyon | Wikipedia
Photo by moneyblognewz at Flickr.com
_
More Fil-Ams May Seek Medical Care in Philippines
A photo of General Santos Doctors Hospital
A new bill is being drafted that will allow United States Medicare beneficiaries to travel to the Philippines for medical reasons, according to Eric Lachica, a lobbyist who is working to get the bill introduced. The new bill would allow Medicare to reimburse certain hospitals in the Philippines directly for Guam residents, thus allowing for the full export of Medicare benefits to the Philippines. Lachica said there are about 400,000 Filipino-Americans in the U.S. mainland, and about 200,000 have seriously expressed interest in retiring in their homeland to take advantage of the low cost of living.
Currently, because of proximity, Guam Medicare residents are allowed to travel to the Philippines to seek medical care for procedures not currently offered on Guam. The patient is then directly reimbursed for the medical visit.
Read more at Marianas Variety
Photo by ManilaBoy45 at Flickr.com
_
TESDA to Launch 7 New Programs This 2012
TESDA classroom
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) recently announced its plan to launch seven new programs this year intended to increase employability, provide more livelihood and spark the entrepreneurial skills of Filipinos. Dubbed REAL DEAL TESD (Reach the grassroots, Empower the reached. Assure quality training and Lifelong education Development. Enable, and Actively-engage Labor force members in job opportunities thru employability and livelihood skills), this initiative is a response to Philippine President Benigno Aquino III’s call for “Landas na Matuwid.”
The seven programs are:
- IT-BPO Talent Investment Program that will train 65,000 scholars to qualify for jobs in the business process outsourcing industry;
- TESDA-SEIPI (Semi-conductor and Electronics Industry of the Philippines) Partnership for the Semi-Conductor Electronics Industry that will train more than 9,000 new and existing workers to keep them geared up for the demands of the semi-conductor and electronics industry;
- Partnership with PLDT (Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.) for the training of 1,300 technicians;
- TESDA-Holcim Partnership to train some 2,200 out-of-school-youths in construction trades such as masonry, carpentry and blueprint reading certification;
- Partnership with LTRFB (Land Transportation Regulation and Franchising Bureau) in PUV (Public Utility Vehicle) driver’s certification;
- TESDA Specialista Technopreneurship Programs that brings together stakeholders to serve the multifarious service requirements of households and small communities; and
- Updates on TESDA-Coke National Convergence Program on Empowering Women Retailers.
Source: News Desk, president.gov.ph
Photo by netstreamph at Flickr.com
_
Top 10 Reasons Why Prosecution Team Still Not Ready for Impeachment Trial
Atty. Karen Jimeno
10. Easier to win votes with basketball courts than cases in trial courts
9. Still focused on the “just because we said so” approach to presenting evidence
8. Not yet finished researching how to get Bartlett’s Book of Quotations as acceptable jurisprudence
7. Distracted with issue of what shampoo Karen Jimeno uses
6. Distracted with issue of what shampoo Serafin Cuevas uses
5. Never really had to contend with shouts from voters of “Objection: immaterial, irrelevant, and impertinent” whenever they sang and danced on the campaign trail
4. Looking for English-Tagalog translator to win the Lito Lapid vote
3. Waiting for Miriam Defensor-Santiago to give a lecture on law to everyone
2. Praying Manong Johnny (Juan Ponce Enrile) will be true to his campaign promise: “Gusto ko happy ka”
1. Still waiting for defense team pants to go on fire
__________
About Chief Justice Renato C. Corona
On May 12, 2010, two days after the 2010 elections and a month before former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s term expired, Renato C. Corona was appointed as the 23rd Chief Justice of the Philippines, succeeding Reynato Puno who had reached the mandatory age of retirement. Corona was impeached by the House of Representatives on December 12, 2011.
Early in his career, Corona served as special counsel at the Development Bank of the Philippines. He later became senior vice-president and general counsel of the Commercial Bank of Manila, and later a senior officer of the Tax and Corporate Counseling Group of the Tax Division of Sycip Gorres Velayo & Co. (SGV & Co.), the country’s largest multidisciplinary professional services firm.
In 1992, Corona joined the administration of President Fidel V. Ramos as Assistant Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs, and concurrently served as head of the Malacañang Legal Office. In 1994, he was promoted to Deputy Executive Secretary and later Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and member of the Cabinet. In 1998, President Ramos awarded him the Philippine Legion of Honor medal, with the rank of officer.
In 1998, Corona became the chief of staff and spokesperson of then Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. When Arroyo assumed the presidency in 2001, Corona became the Presidential Chief of Staff.
Source: Dickie Soriano | Wikipedia
Photo from Fan Page at Facebook thru Flickr.com
_
Migrant Filipino is South Korea Labor Union President
Michel Catuira, chairman of the Seoul-Gyeonggi-Incheon Migrants' Trade Union (MTU)
In 2009, Michel Catuira, a migrant Filipino worker in South Korea for many years, became a chairman of the Seoul-Gyeonggi-Incheon Migrants’ Trade Union (MTU), and the following year became the first foreign delegate in the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU). After becoming chairman, he spent his days working in factories and his nights organizing workers.
The Korean government has not regarded the MTU’s activities with pleasure. Three of its past chairpeople have been the objects of “target crackdowns” by immigration authorities and forcibly deported. Catuira was almost deported until the Seoul Administrative Court took Catuira’s side, saying, “I suspect that Seoul Immigration Office’s handling of the case may have been because of the plaintiff’s labor union activity.”
South Korea is not a signatory to the United Nations’ International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, which stipulates the right of migrant workers and their families to be free from discrimination compared to citizens of the country where they work, and includes the right to form labor unions.
However, Catuira is returning back to the Philippines to care for his grandmother who is suffering from Alzheimer’s. His cousin, who looked after the ailing grandmother, is leaving to work in the United States. Catuira is expected to be back in the Philippines at the end of this month.
Source: The Hankyoreh
Photo taken from No Base Stories Korea
_
Fil-Am Spearheads California School to Help Sendong Victims
from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Elementary School in Newhall, California
When Vladimir Villapando heard about the devastating typhoon that struck southern Philippines in December, he knew he needed to do something.
“It hit close to home,” said Villapando, who grew up in the Philippines before immigrating to the United States.
So he looked to his school, Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Newhall, where he serves as athletic director and spearheaded a donation drive.
And the private Catholic school stepped up: families gathered nearly 20 boxes of clothes, three boxes of shoes, two boxes of school supplies, three boxes of toiletries and toys and 14 cases of canned goods.
Read more at The Santa Clarita Valley Signal
Photo from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Elementary School in Newhall, California
_
Branding Yourself for 2012 is a Must
Randell Tiongson, Director of the Registered Financial Planner Institute Philippines, columnist of renowned broadsheets, 2011 Outstanding Alumni of the University of Santo Tomas, and a host of other distinctions, is conducting a half-day seminar entitled “Personal Branding for Finance Practitioners.” He writes in his blog:
“This interactive, engaging and practical seminar will help you understand, create and send out the unique brand that is YOU. Today’s business world is fast paced and so are the decisions and judgments we are making. There are more than a lot of business men and women, financial advisors, entrepreneurs both young and experienced bringing the same products, skills and services to your field in the industry. But why do some people still stand out above the rest? Best bet is that these people, consciously or not, have their own unique personal brand.”
I have attended a few of Randell’s seminars and have always been both entertained and educated by the simplicity of his presentations in a topic that normally generates, in Randell’s words, “nosebleed!”
Take a ganter into his upcoming seminar. It’s guaranteed to make a difference in you.
Source: Randell Tionson’s Blog
Image from Randell Tiongson’s Blog
_
New Tourism Slogan – It’s More Fun in the Philippines
The new Philippine tourism slogan: Like or Dislike?
The Department of Tourism today launched its newest tourism slogan, “It’s more fun in the Philippines.” Including a Twitter hashtag #ItsMoreFunInThePhilippines, many expressed mixed feelings of optimism, caution, disappointment and a wait-and-see attitude. Some expected more creativity than what was launched while others, including this author, are more concerned with the safety, security, and convenience of tourists visiting the country for the first time than a new campaign slogan.
I wrote about Philippine tourism, “Moments of Truth in Philippine Tourism,” where I mentioned:
“Think about it! The moment a tourist boards a plane bound for the Philippines, the customer experience begins and ends the moment he steps back into an airplane bound for his country of origin. Is the customer experience what we’d like it to be if we were in his or her shoes? Today, I will stand by my observation that the customer experience in Philippine tourism experience is at its low side, not necessarily worst.”
Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr., who announced the new tourism campaign slogan today, said the new brand campaign will be rolled out “this quarter in different key markets, along with its local tourism drive called #1 for fun Philippines.” He expects to attract 4.2 million tourists in 2012 using the campaign of which total project cost is still undisclosed. The tourism department’s landmark target in 2016 is to hit 10 million tourist arrivals.
The rectangular colored logo to the right of the slogan represents the Philippines using the idea of a “banig” (or a hand-woven native mat).
What do you think?
Source: Business World | ABS-CBN News
Images of photo from dot.gov.ph
_
First International Skyrunning Race Set in the Philippines
Training climb at Mt. Ugo
The Pilipinas Akyathlon (Philippine Skyrunning), the country’s first ever international mountain trail high altitude race, is all set on February 18 at Mt. Ugo in Itogon, Benguet. The race will be a 32.88 km race going up the 2,150 meters above sea level summit of Mt. Ugo and back to the barangay hall of Tinongdan, Itogon.
The Philippine Skyrunning Association (PSA), a non-stock, non-profit organization that started in January 2009, says this is the first of its kind in Asia to be accredited by the International Skyrunning Federation (ISF). It is also part of the eco-tourism thrust of the PSA to advocate carry zero-waste and the use of recyclable and reusable materials in the said event. Thus, they have partnered with local environmentalist group, Cordillera Conservation Thrust (CCT).
Mt. Ugo is known for its annual summer climb which won last year in the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines’ (ATOP) Search for Best Tourism Event in the Philippines under the Sports, Adventure and Wellness Category – Municipal Level.
Source: Philippine Information Agency
Photo by clariza at Flickr.com
_
All Books Imported to Philippines Are Now Tax-free
Browsing for books
Whether for personal or commercial use, the Department of Finance (DOF) signed Department Order No. 57-2011 detailing the guidelines to this new law of duty- and VAT-free status of books imported into the Philippines, including clearance procedures for customs-related agencies. The law however disallows publication for advertising purposes.
This new law reiterates the UNESCO Florence Agreement which the Philippines signed to waive tarrifs on books and other printed materials used in educational, scientific and cultural intentions.
“Individuals, who import books for personal use whether as accompanied baggage or through couriers or post office, do not need to secure an endorsement from the DOF Revenue Office. However, these importations should be cleared and released through the required declaration of goods under existing regulations,” ABS-CBN News wrote. However, importation of books is limited to twelve for an institution and six for an individual.
For commercial book importers, they must present an endorsement from the Finance Department’s Revenue Office so it can be exempted from duties and taxes. This includes a Certification from the UNESCO Office in the Philippines attesting that the importation/s is/are covered by the Florence Agreement.
Read more at ABS-CBN News
Photo by specialkrb at Flickr.com
_
Official Philippine Holidays for 2012
Planning your holidays for 2012
Malacañang Palace came out with an official decree declaring the different types of national holidays for the year 2012 for government units, businesses and schools in the country.
Only the observance of Eid’l Fitr and Eidul Adha has not yet been officially declared. The exact dates of the national holiday for these religious holidays shall be issued after the approximate dates of the Islamic holidays have been determined upon the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) informing the Office of the President on which day the holiday shall fall.
Source: Official Gazette of the President of the Philippines
Download PDF: Proclamation 295
Photo by vergara_dominic at Flickr.com
_
La Salle Green Hills Accepts Donations for Typhoon Sendong Victims
Photo of La Salle Green Hills dome.
La Salle Green Hills will start receiving donations for the victims of Typhoon Sendong beginning 8:00am Monday (tomorrow), December 19, 2011.
If you haven’t been catching up on Philippine local news, this typhoon hit parts of Mindanao, specifically Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, where HUNDREDS of Filipino lives were lost.
Kindly “SHARE” this to your social media networks so that God’s presence can shine upon you who are willing to help and those you are able to help during this calamity-stricken Christmas season. Your compassion and generosity will definitely be appreciated.
Donations in cash and kind can be received at Gate 2 of La Salle Green Hills at 343 Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City 1550. You may also call any of the following telephone numbers for further inquiries:
Aluimni Office — 721-2729, 722-7750, 725-4720
GS Principal — 721-2482
HS Principal — 721-8914
Buildings and Grounds Office — 721-8904 (Telefax)
La Sallian Mission Office — 726-5851 (Telefax)
ADDENDUM:
For those outside of the Philippines who wish to donate cash, Bro. Raffy Reyes, FSC, President of La Salle Iligan, has informed the La Salle community that they have just opened a savings account with Bank of the Philippine Islands (or BPI). Please make your cash donations to:
Bank Name: Bank of the Philippine Islands
Account Name: La Salle Academy
Account Type: Savings
Account No: 9353-0377-62
Swift code: BOPIPHMM
Bank address:935 Quezon Avenue Cor Lluch St. Iligan City
Bank telephone number: +63 (63) 223-8053; +63 (63) 223-8054
ADDENDUM 2:
La Salle Green Hills is in need of volunteers and donations. Though used clothing are still accepted, PRIORITY DONATIONS at the moment are as as follows:
NEW Underwear
Blankets
Sleeping mats
Food (avoid pork canned goods)
Slippers
Towels
Soap
Shampoo
Tetanus vaccine
Through generous friends and alumni, we can air freight your donations directly to Cagayan de Oro where we are assured of military assistance in getting the goods to La Salle Academy Iligan for distribution to affected areas. Trucks and other large vehicles for carrying the donations will also be appreciated.
_
American Electronics Company to Invest $300m in Philippines
Philippine Stock Market Board.
An unnamed American company that produces computer parts and accessories may invest $300 million in the country by transfering its current facilities from Japan to the Philippines, Ma. Elisa P. Osorio of the Philippine Star reported last Monday. It looked into leasing facilities at the Clark Freeport Zone in Angeles City or TIPCO Industrial Estates in Mabalacat, both located in the province of Pampanga.
The Chicago-based company already has three sites outside the United States: Japan, China and Singapore. The Philippine site will be producing products for its clients in the ASEAN region and the United States. Philippine Trade Undersecretary Cristino Panlilio refused to name the company but said “it is the second largest in the world in its line of business.”
Read more at The Philippine Star
Photo by thewalkingirony at Flickr.com
_
Filipina Solo Piano Performance at Kathmandu Jazz Festival
Piano Recital at Russian Centre for Science and Culture and workshop at KJC on November 18 and 19 by a famous Pianist, Adolovni Acosta from USA
Adolovni Acosta, originally from the Philippines, performed at the Russian Culture Centre on November 18, mesmerizing the audience with her two-and-a-half hour long program. The piano concert was organized by the Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory (KJC) to mark the 200th birth anniversary of Franz Liszt, German composer and pianist.
“Her musical performance was like storytelling, and the high and low notes gave an impression that the story had reached its climax. The different notes produced made her performance even more interesting and vibrant. The last piece Un Sospiro narrated the story of pianist Liszt’s beloved — it narrated what she was like and her immense love for Liszt,” the article from The Himalayan read.
Read more at The Himalayan
Photo from Kathmandu Jazz Festival
_
McDonald’s Philippines McHappy Day on Nov 27
McDonald’s will be holding it’s annual McHappy Day Fun Run on Sunday, November 27, 2011, at the Piazza Mall, McKinley Hill in Fort Bonifacio City. The run is for the benefit of the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), the charity of choice of McDonald’s, and its banner program Bright Minds Read (BMR).
You can register online through http://www.mchappyday.com.ph or in the following registration centers: McDonald’s outlet in Alabang Town Center, El Pueblo, Greenbelt 1, Greenhills, and Piazza Mall at McKinley Hill. Participating McDonald’s stores accept registrations between 3PM to 9PM on Fridays and 7AM to 9PM on Weekends. You may also register at Runnr on Bonifacio High Street. Registration is only until November 20, 2011.
Source: www.mchappyday.com.ph
Poster from mchappyday.com.ph
_
28 Percent of US Immigrants Come from Asia
In operation until 1954, the immigration station processed over 12 million immigrant steamship passengers.
The Migration Policy Institute (MPI) reports that 28 percent of all immigrants in the United States – about 11 million – hail from Asia. Asians are the second largest immigrant group after Latinos, with nearly half coming from the Philippines, India and China and residing in California, New York and Texas.
Asian immigrants are perceived as “model minorities” who work hard, do well, and don’t complain. In the American imagination, they do not seem to share the challenges faced by other immigrant groups.
Nearly half of Asian immigrant adults have a college degree or higher. Among all immigrants, Asians are more concentrated in management, information technology, and science and engineering. A majority of immigrant doctors and nurses are from Asia.
MPI estimates that Asian immigrants accounted for 11 percent of all unauthorized immigrants in 2010. The Department of Homeland Security counts among the undocumented 280,000 Filipinos, 200,000 Indians, 170,000 Koreans and 130,000 Chinese.
Read more at WNYX New York Public Radio
Photo by wallyg at Flickr.com
_
Filipina Baby is 7th Billion Inhabitant
Danica Camacho seen with her mother Camille
Newly-born baby girl Danica Camacho is the world’s symbolic seven billionth baby who was born at Fabella Maternity hospital in Manila, Philippines today, Monday October 31, 2011. India also greeted its version of the 7 billionth person on earth.
It took only a dozen years to make the leap from 6 billion. And according to the same projections found in this year’s State of the World Population report from the UNFPA, the population will top 9 million by 2050 and 10 billion by the end of this century.
Total population is still climbing, but the rate of growth peaked in the 1960s at about 2 percent. It has steadily declined since then, although it remains well above replacement level in places like sub-Saharan Africa, where it still tops 2 percent.
Read more at The Christian Science Monitor
Photo from The Christian Science Monitor
_
Leyte is Most Business-friendly Province in Philippines
Capitol building of Leyte province
President Benigno S. Aquino III awarded Leyte as the most business-friendly LGU (local government unit) or province in the Philippines during an award ceremony held at the Manila Hotel Thursday evening. The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) also awarded the province a Hall of Fame award for consistently winning the award for the third time.
Governor Carlos Jericho L. Petilla personally accepted the award. He was accompanied by Vice Governor Mimyet Bagulaya and the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Leyte, and several department heads, in a display of unity and force.
PCCI cited the Leyte’s effort to prepare the province as an IT destination through Leyte ICT Park and the launching of the Technology Business Incubator (TBI) that provides initial assistance to starting entrepreneurs in the IT field. The ICT Park has been recognized by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).
Read more at Philippine Information Agency
Photo by blade842125 at Flickr.com
_
Philippine Tourism Budget Increased for Mindanao
Colorful vinta sails overlooking Basilan Strait
The former Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA), now called the Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), has recently reported to allocate more money to develop the tourism industry in Mindanao. The southern region of the Philippines garnered a 35 percent share of the TIEZA budget, up from the usual seven to ten percent the past decade. This was announced by Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, chair of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).
She added that MinDA shall continue in its efforts to secure financing support for the Mindanao initiatives by engaging more public-private partnerships while advocating for a fair share in the national budget. According to the Mindanao 2020 Peace and Development Framework Plan (Mindanao 2020), tourism development “can be a win-win for the economy and environment and must be pursued vigorously through policy reform and public investments. The promotion of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) as premier ecotourism destination also provides substantial growth potential in Mindanao tourism.
Read more at Minda News
Photo by eric_m.e. at Flickr.com
_
