Malacanang welcomes new recognition for Philippine
tourism industry
The Palace welcomes the new recognition for the
Philippines after the country was chosen as best destination in Asia Pacific,
which could be a major boost to the Philippines aggressive tourism campaign.
"Congratulations to our hardworking fellows
from the Department of Tourism at nakuha po natin itong best destination in
Asia Pacific," Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in an
interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday.
"We do not doubt that the campaign continues
to spread because mainly it is true that ‘It is more fun in the
Philippines.’"
Valte added that hopefully the new accolade will
bring more foreign tourists from all over the globe to come to the Philippines
and experience the beautiful destinations in the country.
The country bagged the “Destination of the Year”
award during the 25th Annual TTG Travel Awards, according to the Department of
Tourism.
The Philippines was cited as Asia-Pacific’s
“Destination of the Year” for 2014 in a ceremony held in Bangkok, Thailand.
This is due to the country's “proactive steps and initiatives toward the
development of the travel industry.”
The Destination of the Year falls under the
Outstanding Achievement Awards. Other categories include Travel Personality of
the Year, Best Travel Entrepreneur, Best Marketing and Relationship Effort and
Best Trade Supporter.
The TTG Travel Awards is one of the most coveted
awards in the region’s travel industry, organized by the TTG Asia Media’s
Travel Trade Publishing group. PND (as)
Philippine government ready to assist Filipinos in
Hong Kong
The Philippine consulate in Hong Kong is ready to
extend assistance to Filipinos who will be affected by the mass actions there,
the Palace said on Saturday, advising Filipinos not to participate in the
protest and to avoid the centers of mass actions.
In a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on
Saturday, Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte reiterated the call of
Bernardita Catalla, the country's Consul General in Hong Kong, advising
Filipinos to avoid unsafe areas to ensure their safety.
Valte said the situation in Hong Kong is becoming
more tense as pro-democracy groups clash with "anti-occupy"
protesters.
"We continue to coordinate and to keep our
lines of communication open with the Filipino community because our consulate
there in Hong Kong will be ready to render assistance should there be any
instance na kailangan po ito," she said.
Valte also said that OFW may run into trouble if
they join the protests since Hong Kong law will be applied to them once there's
a round up.
"Hindi na po batas ng ating bansa ang umiiral
doon kundi ‘yung batas ng lugar kung nasaan po sila," she said
"At lagi naman po natin silang
pinapaalalahanan na sumunod din doon sa mga alituntunin, and to stay away from
any acts that might get them into trouble with the law or with the authorities
there."
For Filipino tourists who want to travel to Hong
Kong, Valte said the Philippine government has not issued any travel advisory
but she said tourists must be aware of their surroundings once they are in Hong
Kong. PND (as)
National, local governments working together to
ensure safety of residents near Mayon volcano
The national government is in close contact with
the local government of Albay to ensure the safety of residents near the Mayon
volcano, which could erupt anytime.
"Patuloy ang pakikipag-usap natin kina
Governor Joey Salceda kung ano ang pwede pang maitulong ng national
government," Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a
radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday.
"In fact, last week napag-usapan natin ang
panawagan ni Governor Joey Salceda na humingi ng karagdagang tulong at agad
namang tumugon si Secretary Dinky Soliman doon sa panawagan ni Governor
Salceda."
The Armed Forces of the Philippines is also
assisting the Albay government in the continuing evacuation and rescue efforts,
she said.
Soldiers also continue to patrol the six-kilometer
permanent danger zone, to ensure that no residents go back to their homes
within the danger area.
Albay Governor Joey Salceda said some residents
return to their homes within the danger zone for some reasons and authorities
must warn them to avoid loss of lives in case Mayon volcano erupts.
"Kailangan patuloy po ang paninigurado na
ilalabas po natin silang lahat at wala sila doon sa peligro ng danger
zone," Valte said.
Mayon volcano is heading towards a major eruption,
the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said on
Friday.
Phivolcs pointed out the worsening abnormal
condition of the volcano, like the continuous ground deformation with an
inflation of three millimeters in 10 days.
