Travel Philippines

Worlds Best 10 Beaches

2007-12-29T10:26:00.000+08:00

BORACAY RATES for Philippine residents and balikbayans

2007-12-27T15:06:00.000+08:00

For foreign market rates, click here

Note: if your preferred resort is not on this page, contact us

CLUB TEN BEACH RESORT

Affordable Boracay Package

Promo is valid from November 1 to May 31, 2008

Room Type	Rate per person	Extra Night (w/ bfast)
Single Occupancy	Php5,800	Php2,600
Twin Sharing	Php3,700	Php1,600
Triple Sharing	Php3,500	Php1,400
Quadruple Sharing	Php3,200	Php1,200

Inclusions:

3days/2nights accommodation

Daily breakfast

Roundtrip transfer

Welcome drinks

PEARL OF THE PACIFIC

Season's Package

Valid from Nov 16- Dec 21, 2007

Occupancy	Deluxe	Maharlika	Inclusions
Single	P12,056	P15,722	- 3days/2nights room accommodation - Roundtrip Caticlan airport transfers - add P400/pax if Kalibo - Daily set breakfast - Complimentary set dinner for 1 night - Complimentary Aromatherapy massage & Island Salon service - Welcome drink & welcome lei - 10% off on food and beverage
Twin	P7,473	P9,307
Triple	P6,760	P7,982
Quadruple	P6,402	P7,320
Child's rate	P1,890	P1,890

Extra night rate with breakfast per person

Occupancy	Single	Twin	Triple	Quad	Child
Deluxe	P4,861	P2,569	P2,213	P2,035	P280
Maharlika	P6,700	P3,500	P2,825	P2,500	P280

Yearend Rate

Valid from Dec 22, 2007 to Jan 3, 2008

Package rate per room per night

Occupancy	Deluxe	Maharlika	Inclusions
Single/Twn/Dbl	P12,056	P15,722	- Overnight room accommodation - Welcome drink - Welcome lei - Buffet breakfast - Themed dinner at the beachfront - 1 time complimentary Aromatherapy massage for a minimum of 2 nights stay - 10% off on food and beverages
Extra Person	P7,473	P9,307
Child	P6,760	P7,982
Compulsory dinner on Dec 31 New Year's Celebration: P1,000 (adult); P800 (child)
RT Transfers - Caticlan	P500/person
RT Transfers - Kalibo	P750/person

ASYA BORACAY

High & Peak Season Rates per person

Valid from 16 Oct 2007 - 31 May 2008

	Single	Twin	Triple	Quad
Deluxe Villa	P11,860	P6,560	P5,500	P4,970
Extra night	P5,930	P3,280	P2,750	P2,485
Courtyard Suite	P12,920	P7,090	P5,854	P5,235
Extra Night	P6,460	P3,545	P2,927	P2,618
Villa Suite	P13,980	P7,620	P6,207	P5,500
Extra Night	P6,990	P3,810	P3,104	P2,750

Inclusions:

- 2 nights accommodation

- Roundtrip land and boat transfers via Caticlan

- Welcome drinks

- Daily breakfast; personal drinks are not included

- Use of water sports equipment and facilities at Asya's Private Cove, swimming pool, wifi connection by the restaurant, poolside and business center

- Complimentary one-time mini bar

- One guest souvenir photo by the gazebo

- Two pairs of slippers and one beach bag for every room

- 12% Government Tax and 10% Service Charge

FRIDAY'S BORACAY

	Low (July 1-Oct 15)	High (Oct 16, '07- Jun 18, '08)	Peak (Dec 18, '07-Jan 7, '08; Feb 4-10, '08; Mar 17-30, '08)
3days/2nights	P39,000	P42,000	P45,000
Perfect Honeymoon	P44,000	P47,000	P50,000
Dive, Golf or Spa	P52,000	P55,000	P58,000
Extra Night w/ Bfast	P7,000	P8,000	P9,500
Premier Room Upgrade (per night)	P1,500	P1,500	P1,500
Premier Suite	P2,500	P2,500	P2500

Note:

- Package is designed for two adults

- Extra person is Php1,600 per person, per night

- Includes: Roundtrip airfare via Caticlan, room accommodation, roundtrip transfers, Daily breakfast, one lunch for two

WALING-WALING BEACH HOTEL

High Season Package (Oct 16, 2007 - June 15, 2008)

3days/2nights

Twin Occupancy

Triple Occupancy

Quadruple Occupancy

Quadruple Occupancy (deluxe)

Php8,665/person

Php7,670/person

Php6,795/person

Php7,170/person

4days/3nights

Twin Occupancy

Triple Occupancy

Quadruple Occupancy

Quadruple Occupancy (deluxe)

Php12,145/person

Php10,705/person

Php9,440/person

Php9,980/person

5days/4nights

Twin Occupancy

Triple Occupancy

Quadruple Occupancy

Quadruple Occupancy (deluxe)

Php15,330/person

Php13,490/person

Php11,875/person

Php12,565/person

6days/5nights

Twin Occupancy

Triple Occupancy

Quadruple Occupancy

Quadruple Occupancy (deluxe)

Php18,215/person

Php16,025/person

Php14,110/person

Php14,930/person

*All rates are subject to 12% evat

Inclusions:

- Superior Room Accommodation - Beachfront

- Daily breakfast

- Daily Dinner

- 1 Hour Full Body Massage in a Cabana, between 9am - 7pm only

- Roundtrip transfers via Caticlan, add Php500 per person if via Kalibo

- Welcome drink and lei upon arrival

- Environmental Fee

Note:

- Not valid during Peak Season: Xmas, New Year, Chinese New Year and Holy Week

LE SOLEIL DE BORACAY

Boracay Pleasure Package

Valid from Oct 16 - May 31, 2008 except peak periods (Dec 21 - Jan 5; Feb 7-14; Mar 17-23)

Accommodation	Rates
Single Occupancy	P9,815/person
Extra night with breakfast	P4,200/person/night
Double Occupancy	P5,850/person
Extra night with breakfast	P2,000/person/night
Triple Occupancy	P4,935/person
Extra night with breakfast	P1,900/person/night
Quad Occupancy	P4,569/person
Extra night with breakfast	P1,500/person/night

Inclusions:

- 3days/2nights accommodation in a Deluxe Room

- 2 days set Filipino or American breakfast

- One night set dinner

- Roundtrip transfers via Caticlan

- Welcome drink and lei upon arrival

LORENZO RESORTS

Boracay Escapade

Valid from Nov 1, 2007 - Mar 31, 2008 (except peak periods)

Resort	Single	Twin	Triple
Lorenzo South
Premiere	P12,710	P7,190	P6,085
Extra Night	P5,890	P3,220	P2,670ff
Superior	P11,605	P6,640	P5,720
Extra Night	P5,430	P2,945	P2,485
Lorenzo Villa
Premiere	P8,845	P5,260	P4,800
Extra night	P4,050	P2,255	P2,025

Child rate	P2,480
Extra night	P865

Inclusions:

- Minimum stay of 3days/2nights

- Daily set breakfast and set dinner

- Roundtrip transfers via Caticlan

- One time body massage

- Welcome drinks

- Free shuttle service to and from South and Villa

COCOMANGAS

3days/2nights Promo Package

Valid from Dec 1-20, 2007/ Jan 5-Mar 15, 2008/ Apr 1-May 31, 2008)

Room Type	Rate per person
Single Occupancy	Php4,950
Extra night	Php1,800
Twin Sharing	Php3,750
Extra night	Php1,350
Triple Sharing	Php3,600
Extra night	Php1,350
Quad Sharing	Php3,450
Extra night	Php1,350

Inclusions:

- 3days/2nights aircon accommodation

- 2 breakfast

- 2 nights dinner (w/o drinks)

- Roundtrip airport transfers (Kalibo or Caticlan)

- Welcome drinks upon arrival

SEAWIND BORACAY

Summer Fun Promo

starts 16 October 2007 ends 15 June 2008

3days/2nights	Rate per person in Php
Single	13,870
Twin	7,100
Triple	5,870
Quad	5,350
4days/3nights	Rate per person in Php
Single	19,970
Twin	10,150
Triple	8,400
Quad	7,625
5days/4nights	Rate per person in Php
Single	26,070
Twin	13,200
Triple	10,940
Quad	9,900
6days/5nights	Rate per person in Php
Single	32,170
Twin	16,250
Triple	13,475
Quad	12,175
7days/6nights	Rate per person in Php
Single	38,270
Twin	19,300
Triple	16,000
Quad	14,450

Inclusions:

- Deluxe Room Accommodation

- Daily breakfast

- Welcome drink

- Roundtrip transfers via Caticlan airport (addt'l Php200 for Kalibo airport)

- Not valid during Christmas/New Year, Chinese New Year and Holy Week

Boracay Beach Picture

2007-12-26T12:28:00.000+08:00

Travel Pangasinan: PUTO FESTIVAL

2007-12-26T02:01:00.000+08:00

Pangasinan

PUTO FESTIVAL
December 26- December 28 | Calasiao, Pangasinan
Celebration of the town's major produce, rice cake (puto).

Pangasinan is a province 250 kilometers north on Manila. The province is bordered by the provinces of Zambales and Tarlac on the south, Nueva Vizcaya and Nueva Ecija to the east, La Union on the north and the Lingayen Gulf to the west. The name Pangasinan was derived from the word "asin" or salt due to Pangasinan's vast salt making industry. The province is also a major producer of mangoes, rice, milkfish and bamboo handicrafts.

Today, Pangasinan is more known for its most popular tourist attraction which is the Hundred Islands National Park. A cluster of more than a hundred islands off the town of Alaminos on the Lingayen Gulf. Of which, the biggest island is named Quezon. Most of the islands are small and uninhabited and are only occasionally visited during the day by local and foreign tourist. Most of the bigger islands have beaches where visitors can spend the day or camp out for a picnic.

However, only a few of these island have facilities. Those that offer facilities are: Quezon Island with viewing decks, toilets and picnic sheds, the Governor's Island has accommodation facilities for those who would like to stay longer and the Children's Island which has bathrooms, camping and sleeping areas.

Now, visitors to the Hundred Islands can better enjoy their vacation with water sports facilities offered for rent at Lucap Waterfront (Tel # +63 75 5512246) for activities like jet skiing, windsurfing, kayaking, snorkeling, parasailing and big game fishing.

Other Tourist Attractions of Pangasinan:

Places of interest in Pangasinan are: the 2 lighthouses in Bolinao: the Cape Bolinao Lighthouse in Barangay Patar and the Port Bolinao Lighthouse in Guigui-wanen in Barangay Luciente; the Tara waterfalls in Bolinao; the pristine Balingasay river; Antong Falls in the town of Sison; the Urduja House in Lingayen; the Salasa Church in Bugallon; Mount Balungao in Balungao; Manleluag Spring National Park in Mangatarem; Bolinao Museum; Sanctuario de Senor Divino Tesoro in Calasiao; Redeemer's Cross; Agno Umbrella Rocks and the Lingayen Gulf War Museum in the town of Lingayen.

For the adventurous, there are several caves in Pangasinan waiting to be explored. There is the Cacupangan cave in the town of Mabini, Cindy's cave in Bolinao and the 200 meter Villacorta Caves in the town of Villacorta with waterfalls, pools and rock formations.

Aside form the beaches found on the Hundred Islands, one need not get a boat ride to get to a beach in Pangasinan. The coastline of Lingayen Gulf is blessed with numerous beaches for tourist and vacationers. There is the Bonuan beach, videoke stalls to match and other beaches that dot the coastline of Pangasinan.

Best Beaches of Pangasinan:

● Abrak Beach in Bolinao has huts for rent for the budget conscious and several resorts for those with bigger budgets.
● Tambobong Beach, also in Dasol has pristine waters and a fishing village serves as a backdrop.
● Colibra Island, in Dasol has a beautiful shoreline; clear waters that is good for for diving and snorkeling. The island's beach however has no shade. So be prepared to get a dark tan.
● Tondol Beach in Anda town offers a long stretch shallow and calm waters. Ideal for sunbathers.

● Arnedo Beach also in Bolinao offers several resorts, some with surfing facilities with reasonable rates.

How to get to Pangasinan:

Catch a bus from Manila going to Alaminos, Pangasinan. From the town proper of Alaminos, there are tricycles and jeepneys that ply the 3 kilometer route to Lucap town where the Public Assistance Center for the Hundred Islands National Park is located. The center also accepts reservations for accommodations to the islands. From the center, motorized boats (banca) can be hired for a trip to the islands.

Buses that ply the Manila - Pangasinan route:

● Dagupan Bus Line (Quezon City to Dagupan) New York St., Cubao Tel # 929-6123, 727-2330

● Victory Liner (Quezon City to Dagupan & Alaminos) Cubao, Q.C. Tel # 727-4688, 727-4534

● Five Star Bus Line (Pasay City to Dagupan & Bolinao) Tel # 833 8339, 833 3009

● City Trans (Manila to Dagupan & Bolinao)

● Philippine Rabbit (Quezon City to Dagupan & Bolinao) EDSA, Q.C. Tel # 734-9838, 734-9836

● Philippine Rapid Manila to Dagupan & Bolinao)

OTHER TOURIST ATTRACTIONS


Bonuan Blue Beach	Dagupan City
Capitol Building	Lingayen
Home Economics Building of the West Central Elem. School	Dagupan City
Limahong Channel	Lingayen
Lingayen Gulf War Memorial	Lingayen
Old St. John's Cathedral	Dagupan City
Villa Verde Trail	San Nicolas
White Beach	San Fabian
Antong Falls	Sison
Cacupangan Cave	Mabini
Cape Bolinao Beach	Bolinao
Mount Balungao	Balungao
Santiago Island	Bolinao
Tambobong White Beach	Dasol
Villacorta Caves	Mabini
Bolinao Museum	Bolinao
Church of St. James Fortress	Bolinao
Redeemer's Cross	Bani
Salasa Church	Bugallon
Shrine of the Immaculate Concepcion	Rosales
Sison Auditorium	Lingayen
Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center	Lingayen
Oceanographic Marine Laboratory	Alaminos
University of the Philippines Marine Service Institute	Bolinao
Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation	San Carlos City
Bangus Festival	Dagupan City
Feast of the Señora de Manaoag	Manaoag
Feast of the Señor Divino Tesoro	Calasiao
Galicayo Festival	Manaoag
Mango/Bamboo Festival	San Carlos City
Panangidayew	Lingayen
Pista'y Dayat	Lingayen Gulf
Puto Festival	Calasiao

Travel ILOCOS NORTE: DAMILI FESTIVAL

2007-12-26T01:31:00.000+08:00

DAMILI FESTIVAL
December 26 30 | San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte
This is celebrated during San Nicolas Festival that highlights as a street dance competition pantomiming the Damilian's pottery making.

2007-12-25T21:57:00.000+08:00

SIARGAO ISLAND

This newly discovered island boasts of white-sand beaches and surfing waves compared to that of Hawaii. Lying 800 kilometers southeast of Manila, the tear-shaped Siargao Island is a perfect haven for the sun, sea, and surf buffs. It lies on the eastern portion of Surigao del Norte and on the southeastern tip of Mindanao. The island is a mass of tropical land with scores of reefs, points and white beaches.

Its promise as a surfing mecca in the making was discovered in 1993 by American surf photographer John Callahan who went to investigate the rumors of spectacular waves in a little known Mindanao town. He came back from his trip armed with stories about the lovely sun-drenched island and documented his find with beautiful photographs.

Siargao opened itself to the international surfing community by playing host to the Siargao Surfing Cup in the municipality of General Luna. Siargao's Cloud Nine break is said to be among the best in the world and foreign sportsmen view "the unparalleled surf of Siargao as a magnet for deep sea fishing, sailing, wind-surfing, kayaking, and sunbathing on miles of white sandy beaches that the reef-ringed island and its rich waters afford the visitors.

Travel Pagudpud

2007-12-25T21:56:00.000+08:00

PAGUDPUD BEACH

If Aklan has Boracay, Ilocos has Pagudpud, its northernmost town bordering the South China Sea. The coastal town of Pagudpud is the perfect setting for panoramic movies and photoshoot for travel magazines cover.

The town's main attractions are Saud Beach, known for its fine white sand stretching for hundreds of meters and Maira-Ira Point, which hides a secluded beach called Blue Lagoon. Other breathtaking landscapes in Pagudpud include Bantay Abot-abot, a natural sculpture carved by the wind and sea, the Mabogabog Falls and the Patapat viaduct that treats motorists to a scenic view of green lushes and blue waters of South China Sea.

Pagudpud is just an hour's drive from Laoag City International Airport. From here, tourists can visit other popular destinations such as the Bangui Wind Farm, the Hispanic village of Vigan, and the old Paoay Church.

Travel HUNDRED ISLANDS

2007-12-25T21:03:00.000+08:00

HUNDRED ISLANDS

Northern Philippines boasts of white-sand beaches in Pangasinan and Ilocandia. Among the best tourist destinations is the Hundred Islands which can be reached from the Pangasinan town of Alaminos, where the lodging accommodations and restaurants are situated.

At Hundred Islands, the visitor may rent an island for one's own private beach for a day. Short boat rides take off from the village of Lucap to the Hundred Islands.

Beaches stretch along the western coast of Ilocos region. Among the popular beach resorts are Cresta del Mar, Bali Hai, Cabana and the Coconut Grove in La Union province.

Ilocos Norte also has fine resorts such as D'Coral Beach Resort and Fort Ilocandia.

Travel PUERTO GALERA

2007-12-25T21:01:00.000+08:00

PUERTO GALERA

Puerto Galera (which means Galleon Port) is one of the most popular beach resorts in the Philippines. A marine reserve, it is endowed with coves, fine sandy beaches and shallow coral reefs ideal for snorkeling.

The place can be reached from the port of Batangas City where a ferry service to Mindoro awaits the tourists. Bancas may be hired to go to Escarceo Point, the best dive spot in Puerto Galera. The area offers positive thrills and guaranteed excitement, with its sudden rushes of strong currents and steep slopes which are a favorite gathering place for large pelagic fish.Diving expeditions are usually organized by certified masters on specific dive spots.

Travel BATANGAS

2007-12-25T20:59:00.000+08:00

Anilao, a resort village in Mabini, Batangas is considered the summer mecca of diving fanatics. The resort offers accommodations and diving facilities, plus the services of training clubs that provide courses on diving.

Situated in the southeast area of Batangas province, Anilao may be reached within three hours from Manila through public buses or jeepneys. From Anilao, one can start diving from the shore or go in bancas to nearby islands. Among them is Sombrero (Hat) Island, a marine preserve where sports activities are regulated.

Other dive spots in this side of Batangas are Mapating Rock at Maricaban Island, Caban Cove and Layag Layag Point.

Travel SUBIC

2007-12-25T20:57:00.000+08:00

Subic Bay

Subic, the former US naval base in the Philippines, is now a hub for commerce and tourism. Just two-and-a-half hour drive north from Manila, Subic offers a full view of the blue mountain and sea and of the green background of a three-layered virgin forest.

Points of interest include the 18-hole Binictican Golf Course and Clubhouse, a white-sand beach, bowling and arcade center,a ship wharf past a restricted forested area, firing ranges, fishing grounds and an area for bungee jumping.

Visitors to Subic can take a 12-hour jungle survival course, visit an Aeta tribal village, take a bay cruise, explore the coves, end up at the white-sand beach of Grande Island, engage in water sports, go horseback riding or simply enjoy the scenic view of the sea.

Subic Bay is complete with tourism-support facilities that include a marina, a yacht club, hotels, shopping arcades and food shops. It also boasts of an international airport.

Travel SARANGANI

2007-12-25T20:50:00.000+08:00

The Beaches of Glan, Sarangani

Glan, the largest town in the Sarangani province, boasts of world-class beach resorts and rich fishing grounds. The terrain of Glan is characterized by flatlands, rolling hills and mountains. Most land areas have been converted to agriculture and fishponds.

The town of Glan is bounded on the east by Davao Del Sur, on the north by Malapatan town, on the west by the South China Sea, and on the south by Sarangani Bay.

Many foreign and local tourists flock to the area during summer because of its splendid beach resorts. The sorrounding waters, particularly in Gumasa, Baliton and Margus areas are rich fishing grounds. As many as 2,400 species of marine animals have been found in the bay. The dominant catch include yellow-fin tuna, shipjack, and mackerel.

Glan can be reached from Manila and Cebu by airplane going to General Santos City and a 45-minute drive from the airport.

Travel GUIMARAS

2007-12-25T20:49:00.000+08:00

Guimaras tourism to revive its economy

Nueva Valencia, Guimaras - An Italian couple on a two-month holiday in the Philippines chose to include this paradise in their itinerary and stayed at the Raymen Beach Resort in December 2006, unperturbed by news about the oil spill that brought the island province to world attention in August of the same year.

"We are just here to see good beaches," said the Boldo couple, who are just among the hundreds of foreign guests who kept coming to Guimaras even in the aftermath of the infamous oil spill. Guimaras has 238.3-kilometer coastline, with long stretches of white, powdery sand considered among the finest in the world.

Lucia Cachuela, managing director of the El Retiro Beach Park, noted that international visitor arrivals to Guimaras began to pick up in November. "Tourists are coming back," Cachuela told journalists who visited the province as a part of the Guimaras Tourism Recovery Program spearheaded by the Department of Tourism.

Despite the accident and the negative publicity it generated for the province since August, data show that the number of foreign tourists, or those who spent at least a night in Guimaras, went up to 293 in November from 98 in October, 75 in September, and 237 in August - the month of the accident. In November 2005, there were only 143 foreign tourists in Guimaras.

Foreign excursionists, or day-in visitors, also went up to 525 in November from 453 a year ago. It was also up from 257 in October, and 297 in September. In August, the number of foreign excursionists reached 566.

Guimaras targets to attract more foreign tourists, because they spend the highest amount while in the island. The DOT Guests Assistance Centers in the port towns of Buenavista and Jordan estimated the average daily expenditure of foreign tourist at P2,000; foreign excursionist, P1,500; local tourist, P1,500; and local excursionist, P500.

"Guimaras is very alive and kicking," said Helen Camarista, the officer-in-charge of the Department of Tourism in Western Visayas. "Business has never been stronger."

"Out of 24 accredited resorts, only seven have been hardest hit. So 17 resorts are okay," Camarista, herself a resident of Guimaras, said.

Nueva Valencia Vice Mayor Juan Gaitan agreed, saying many beach resorts remain unspoiled. "We are telling people that not all areas have been affected. We encourage them to come to Guimaras," Gaitan said.

For example, Jose Garomita, president of the Guisi Community-based Heritage Tourism, said that they were able to protect the white-sand beach in Guisi, a sitio in Barangay Dolores, Nueva Valencia town from the oil slick.

Guimaras, a 60,465-hectare island the size of Singapore with five towns and 98 barangays and home to more than 140,000 residents, hogged the headlines when oil tanker MT Solar I carrying 2 million liters of bunker fuel owned by Petron Corp. sank in rough waters 10 miles off the coast of Nueva Valencia town on August 11 this year.

Scientists said about 300,000 liters of the cargo polluted 24,000 square kilometers of waters near the island paradise. The spill was later contained, and clean up operations began.

Ironically, foreign and domestic visitor arrivals to Guimaras went up by 13 percent to 13,566 in August from 11,986 a year ago. Arrivals reached 14,501 in September; 14,163 in October and 12,221 in November.

"More attention has been given to Guimaras since August. Now, there are scientists, researchers, and donors who are coming to Guimaras," Camarista said.

Camarista noted that before the oil spill took place, there were only 4 to 5 departures of pump boats each day. Now, this has gone up to 7 to 10 departures per day, she said.

But a few resorts are still feeling the impact of the tragedy. "When news of the oil spill spread, seven resorts received booking cancellations through email," Camarista conceded.

Peter Harper-bill, an 80-year-old British retiree who manages the Baras Resort, said bookings were less than half of what they used to be. "Normally, we were fully booked around Christmas, but now we are not," Harper-bill said.

Tourism is a major industry in Guimaras. In 2005, tourist arrivals totaled 181,915 and injected P204.3 million into its local economy. Since 2003, tourist arrivals to the province have been rising 30 percent per annum.

Ruben Corpuz, the provincial economic officer, said much of Guimaras, including its spectacular coastline and rich marine biodiversity remain unexplored.

Its main attractions include Roca Encantadia, Guisi Lighthouse, Tiniguiban Islet, Isla Naburot, Lombija Wildlife Resort, Taklong-Tandog Island, Igang Marine Station, Toyo Reef, and La Paz and Pamankulan Fish Sanctuaries. Corpuz said the province is also fast rising as a destination for mountain bike races, kayaking and tours to mango plantations. Guimaras exports sweet mangoes to the United States.

Corpuz said he is optimistic about the tourism prospects in Guimaras for several reasons. These include the expansion of the ports in Jordan and Buenavista towns, the completion of the international airport by March 2007 in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo which is the gateway to Guimaras, and new investments in tourist facilities, such as the multi-million-peso investment in the Lombija Wildlife Resort and Hotel and a new convention center.

Julius Camacho, a cousin of businessman Henry Babiera of the Ortigas Group who develops the Lombija zoo, said that at more than 20 hectares, the zoo will be the largest in the country once it opens sometime in 2008. The zoo has been under development since 1998. Corpuz said about P300 million has already been invested for the development of the project, which is seen to add a new attraction to Guimaras.

"We also envision Guimaras to be a logistics hub. Guimaras Strait has the deepest berth for international vessels," Corpuz said. "For Guimaras, there is no other way but up." Roderick T. dela Cruz.

Travel PALAWAN

2007-12-25T20:46:00.000+08:00

Palawan beaches are best in Asia

The beaches of Palawan topped the list of the best beaches of Asia identified by the prestigious international magazine Condé Nast Traveler in its October 2007 issue.

The New York-based magazine, published by Condé Nast Publications, the same company that owns the New Yorker, Vogue, Glamour, and Bon Appetit, listed Palawan beaches ahead of other spectacular Asian destinations such as Beach No. 7 at Havelock Island in India; Nihiwatu Beach on Sumba Island in Indonesia; Baa on North Ari and North Malé Atolls in the Maldives; and Laem Tong Bay on Koh Phi Phi in Thailand.

According to the magazine's Great Asian Beach Finder article, "Palawan province's 1,200 miles of sugary beaches wrapped around 1,780 pristine islands have attracted travelers since Chinese traders crossed now-sunken land bridges from Borneo."

It said Palawan's rich ecosystem supports two United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's World Heritage Sites, the coral-rich Tubbataha Reef Marine Park and Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a limestone karst landscape with an underground tributary that emerges into the sea.

"Almost as unique is Miniloc Island Resort, where a private beach leads to crystalline waters rife with damselfish. Sister property Lagen Island Resort's 51 newer overwater pavilions are overshadowed only by Amanpulo, Amanresorts' 40 huts scattered along Pamalican Island 's powdery strand," the magazine said.

The same article listed diving on Bacuit Bay in El Nido, Palawan, where Miniloc Island Resort and Lagen Island Resort are located, as among the best beach sports that Asia can offer. It cited Bacuit Bay for its prehistoric limestone rocks, gentle currents, and large concentration of fish.

On the other hand, Amanpulo was listed as the best beach hotel and most romantic Asian property, with glass walls that optimize Sulu Sea views framed by lush foliage thick with black-naped orioles and neon-blue Steere's pittas. Twenty-nine suites encircle the private resort on the 220-acre Pamalican Island , 225 miles south of Manila .

The list was comprised of over 30 beach locations in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, China, and Japan
Except for Palawan beaches and resorts, no other Philippine destinations made it to the list for such categories as best beaches overall, best beach spas, best beach parties, best beach scenery, best beach hotels, and beach for sports.

It was the second time this year that the New York magazine included Palawan in its top story. In its January 2007 issue, Conde Nast featured Palawan as a Great Value Vacation destination along with top tourist destinations such as Crystal Cove in California and Stewart Island in New Zealand.

In that article, Palawan was cited as a "restful retreat where you can unplug from the everyday."

Visit Palawan
Club Noah Isabelle

Travel BOHOL

2007-12-25T20:43:00.000+08:00

Bohol is one of the loveliest islands in southern Philippines. It is situated at the heart of Visayas and with coastline skimmed by gentle coves and white-sand beaches. Many highways snake along sparkling beaches or leafy rivers where one can stop at any point and jump in.

With its rolling hills and plateaus, crystal springs and beaches, the province of Bohol is a picturesque province replete with ancestral homes and centuries-old churches. Bohol is composed of numerous isles - Panglao, Pamilacan, Cabilao, Jao, Mahanay and Lapinin, which are excellent dive spots.

The Chocolate Hills is but one of the many natural wonders to be found in Bohol. The province is the home of the world's smallest monkey, the tarsier. The size of a fist, the tarsier lives on the hills of Corella, some ten kilometers from Tagbilaran. Other exotic flora and fauna may also be found amongst the forest of Bohol.

Bohol's various mountainous and water formations also serve as a natural playground for the adventurous tourist. One can cruise its rivers, hike up the hills, swim the deep waters, or just stroll down the avenues. Bohol is just waiting to surprise you.

Tagbilaran, Bohol's capital town can be reached by plane or boat from Cebu and Manila. Numerous tourist inns and excellent resorts are found in Tagbilaran and Panglao island.

Travel DAVAO

2007-12-25T20:41:00.000+08:00

SAMAL ISLAND, DAVAO

Samal Island offers unending fascination with its white-sand beaches, thick mangroves, coral reefs, rolling hills and rock formations.It is an archipelago of nine islands located in the Davao Gulf about 700 meters south of Davao City. An ideal model for resort and development, Samal Island provides a fabulous site for sunrise and sunset.

Samal Island, like the rest of Mindanao, is outside of the typhoon belt, and enjoys relatively calm weather. Its coastline is characterized by tall, swaying coconut trees, white sand beaches, rock formations, mangroves, coral reefs, and small fishing villages, all suggestive of a tropical island paradise.

Almost all of the beach areas have white sand, with widths varying from only a few meters to more than 10 meters. It provides ample space for picnic huts, reclining chairs for sun bathing, or for simply relaxing and enjoying the tropical scenery.

The water is crystal clear throughout the coastline, which varies in terrain from gently sloping sand beaches to steep cliffs and rock formations. The colors of the coastline at the beach areas transforms itself from the green lush vegetation of coconut trees, to the white sandy beaches, to the dark blue color of the sea, with its deep waters and coral reefs.

Among its popular attractions are the Aguinaldo Pearl Farm, the caves of Talikud Island, the White Stone Mountain, and the San Jose Muslim Fishing Village.

2007-12-25T20:22:00.000+08:00

Cebu, top destination of foreign tourists

Cebu City drew 403,326 international visitors in 2005, making the "queen city of the south" the top provincial destination of foreign travelers. Data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) also showed that Cebu City attracted 1,813 overseas Filipinos and 712,938 domestic travelers last year.

Total number of travelers in the city went up by 10.5 percent to 1.118 million in 2005 from 1.012 million in 2004. Arrivals in Cebu are expected to peak in December 2006, when the city hosts the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leader's Summit and the 4th ASEAN Business and Investment Summit.

Government officials and business leaders from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam will troop to Cebu to discuss the future of ASEAN integration.

Also expected to participate are delegates from Japan, China, South Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and European Union. This early, the 20 hotels in Cebu have been reporting full occupancy rates, with the influx of Japanese and Korean tourists, despite the recent opening of five-star accommodation facilities like Marco Polo Hotel and Hilton.

Other large hotels in Metro Cebu include Marriot, Waterfront, Midtown, Rajah Park, Diplomat, Northwinds, Sarrosa, Parklane, Crown Regency, GV, Mango Park, Richmonde, Golden Prince, Metropak, Crowne Garden, Grand Hotel, Montebello, Century Golden Peak, Holiday Plaza and Century Plaza.

Aside from Cebu, other top destinations of international visitors outside Metro Manila in 2005 were Aklan, the province which covers the world-class resort island of Boracay, with 157,638; Laguna, home of the Pagsanjan Falls, with 149,531; Pampanga, where Clark Field is located, with 76,133; and Palawan, with 70,066.

Occupying the 11th to 20th list of favorite destinations were Ifugao, site of the Banaue Rice Terraces, Negros Occidental, Baguio City, Iloilo, Cavite, Negros Oriental, Cagayan de Oro City, Batangas, Camiguin, and Ormoc City.

Data showed that some 1.414 million international travelers, 125,476 overseas Filipinos, and 13.631 million domestic tourists for a total of 15.171 million visited the country's tourist attractions outside Metro Manila in 2005. The figure was 15.8 percent higher than the 13.103 million local and foreign tourists who visited the provinces last year.

Travel BORACAY

2007-12-25T20:14:00.000+08:00

Widely known as one of the finest swimming destinations in the world, Boracay is blessed with unsullied fine talcum powder-sand beaches. Its tranquil crystal clear waters are perfect for swimming, sailing, fishing and sunbathing.

Boracay also boasts of sapphire seas and spectacular sunsets. Countless hidden coves dot the island and tall coconut trees line up along the beaches.

Boracay lies at the northwest tip of Panay, in the west Visayas region, off the Sibuyan Sea. The island is made up of little communities: Yapak in the north, Balabag in the middle, and Manocmanoc in the south.

Hilly elevations up to 100 meters above sea level characterize Yapak and Manocmanoc. Intertwining trails link the small villages together but many sometimes lead to lush tropical jungles.

To get to Boracay, one has to book a flight to Kalibo, the capital of Aklan province, or Caticlan. Air-conditioned coasters or public buses offer one-hour-and-a-half drive from Kalibo to Caticlan, where one can board a motorized banca for a 30-minute trip to Boracay.

How to go to Boracay

Book your flights to Boracay

Travel BICOL: Butanding Festival

2007-12-25T20:00:00.000+08:00

DONSOL, Sorsogon (April 19, 2007) Once a sleepy coastal village located at the northwestern tip of Sorsogon province, this town now eyes to be a first-class municipality, thanks to giant sea creatures that are now attracting hordes of foreign and local tourists who infuse millions of pesos into the local economy.

"Donsol was elevated to a third-class municipality in 2006 from a fourth-class status in 2003 and fifth-class in 1998, because of the butanding," Mayor Salve Ocaya said, while giving tribute to the whale sharks, considered as the world's largest fish that have found a home in the plankton-rich municipal waters of Donsol.

Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano, who attended the opening of the four-day Butanding Festival along with Undersecretary Eduardo Jarque Jr. on April 18, said Donsol, a town of about 40,000 people, now has the chance to become a first-class municipality through sustainable eco-tourism.

"It was really amazing to see them in water," said Durano, who dived three times to personally witness the gentle whale sharks, some of which grow as long as 18 meters and weigh up to 34 tons.

During the past Holy Week, hundreds of whale sharks visited the municipal waters of Donsol, attracting more than 300 tourists, many of whom checked in at hotels as far as Legaspi City, because of full occupancy at Donsol's four resorts and 15 houses that have been accredited for the home stay program.

"We used to treat butanding as enemies, because they were eating our fish. Now, they are giving us our income," said Joel Briones, a former fisherman who now works as a butanding interaction officer, with much higher earnings.

Allan Amanse, a part of the first batch of butanding interaction officers who quit his job as tricycle driver eight years ago, said that at a good season, he could earn up to ten times his previous income.

Amanse said he was earning P650 per three-hour boat trip, and during a good season, he could have up to three trips a day. The butanding season starts from December and lasts until May. During off-season, Amanse works as a dive master, guiding tourists at fascinating dive spots in Sorsogon and Masbate.

There are about 40 accredited butanding interaction officers in Donsol, who accompany 60 registered boats, each of which has three or four crew members. The boats can be hired for a three-hour butanding interaction trip for P3,500.

Maria Ong Ravanilla, the tourism regional director for Bicol, said the boat fare was raised to P3,500 from P2,500 to prevent them from overcrowding the butanding habitat. Last month, she also issued a directive, limiting to 25 the maximum number of boats allowed to cruise the butanding area at a time.

Aside from the boat crews and butanding interaction officers, the extraordinary growth of tourism in Donsol has created job opportunities for thousand of others, including resort and restaurant employees, home owners, service workers such as spa therapists, souvenir producers, vendors, fruit retailers, and transport drivers. It has also given fishers an expanded market for their catch, as tourists prefer fresh seafood.

Erna Jimenes, a 61-year-old resident who opened her house to tourists under the home stay program, earns P700 a night for each of the four rooms she made available for rent by the tourists. At the town center, the ancestral home of the Ravolan family was also opened to tourists. Air-conditioned rooms are available for P1,200 a night.

A study by the environmental group World Wildlife Fund (WWF) estimated the contribution of tourism to Donsol economy at P50 million in 2006 alone when about 11,000 tourists visited the town, about 65 percent of whom were foreigners. Arrivals were up from 7,000 in 2005.

Last year, Donsol received an internal revenue allotment of P41 million. Durano said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo also ordered the release of P60 million for the expansion of the Donsol bridge to enhance access to Barangay Dancayan, the jump-off point for whale shark interaction.

The municipal government generated taxes of P1.9 million from tourist registration alone, up from P1.5 million in 2005. Foreign tourists are charged P300 and domestic tourists, P100 to interact with the whale sharks.

On top of butanding interaction, Donsol introduced another natural wonder as an attraction the firefly watching at the Ogod River, where mangrove trees glow like Christmas trees at night as thousands of fireflies inhabit the area. The river also has the widest and clearest view of galaxies of stars.

Durano stressed the need to sustain eco-tourism in Donsol in order to keep the whale sharks in its waters. The tourism department, he noted, has partnered with the World Wildlife Fund in order to study how to sustain tourism while protecting the habitat of the whale sharks.

"As long as we protect their habitat, they will continue to be here," Durano said, while citing an initial finding of the WWF that whale sharks do not actually leave Donsol as they stay here all year-round. "They just go deeper during some months of the year," he added.

The Philippine government now appreciates tourism for its job generation capability. Economic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri said that if the country can only attract more than 10 million foreign tourists like Thailand does, it can eliminate the problem of unemployment. In 2006, the country drew 2.84 million foreign visitors.

Durano, however, said there is a limit to tourism growth particularly in eco-tourism destinations such as Donsol. "The limit should be if it starts destroying the habitat," he said.

Julia Campbell, the late New York Times journalist and member of the US Peace Corps, started an eco-tourism center in Donsol to help increase public awareness on protecting the whale sharks. She was supposed to return to Donsol to finish the project, until she was reported dead in the bosom of the Moutain Terraces in the tourist province of Ifugao on April 18.

Local officials in Donsol, who knew Campbell personally, vowed to continue her project. Tourism officials also agreed to control tourism movement for its sustainability.

The right formula, Durano said, should be "striking a balance between mass tourism and preserving the natural habitat."

Durano also said that more people should feel the benefits of tourism growth. "The more we spread the benefits of tourism throughout the country, the better it will be for the sustainable development of the Philippines," he said. Roderick T. dela Cruz

Book your flights to Legaspi City

Travel BOHOL

2007-12-25T19:14:00.000+08:00

PANGLAO Island, Bohol (06 May 2007) - Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano has inaugurated the first phase of a P600 million upscale resort complex that is riding on the tourism boom in this province.

"This is a clear, big investment that is testimonial of the health of tourism in Bohol," Durano said, referring to the 10-hectare Eskaya Beach Resort & Spa, which is building 70 luxurious villas catering to the rich Filipino tourists and visitors from Europe, the United States, Australia, Japan and Korea.

Richard Lim, who is involved in salt production and shipping, said some 300 construction workers are being employed to finish the five-star project, that is expected to employ at least 120 resort and restaurant employees once completed.

Lim, the incoming president of the Greenhills Rotary in San Juan, said the first phase of the project, involving P150 million investment, is expected to be completed by July this year.

The project provides commanding views of the magnificent Mindanao Sea and features exotic villas, infinity pools and luxurious facilities.

He said this early, 15 villas are already available for occuppancy, with overnight rates ranging from $300 to $2,100. Some of the villas have own private swimming pools, whirlpool tub, outdoor spa, king-sized bed, spacious bathroom with vanity, mini-bar, and Internet connection.

Until recently, Panglao Island has stolen some of the glitters of the world-famous Boracay Island. Located at the southwestern tip of Bohol province, Panglao boasts of a long stretch of white-sand beaches embracing crystal-clear and blue waters.

Durano said the opening of the Panglao resort forms part of the additional 3,000 hotel and resort rooms that will be made available this year, to accommodate the growing number of international visitors and domestic tourists. International visitor arrivals peaked at 2.84 million last year and are expected to breach the 3-million mark for the first time this year, he added.

This idyllic island, one of the fastest growing destinations for foreign and local tourists, has also caught the attention of at least two international resort operators.

Durano said the Kingdom Hotel Investments which carries the Raffles and the Four Seasons brands, are looking at several properties in the island, lying about 370 kilometers south of Manila.

Another potential investor, Durano said, is the Singapore-based Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts, one of the world's leading luxury resort and spa operators, which has recently found an island in Northern Palawan.

"A lot of things are really happening in tourism. We just need to sustain the demand. The private sector can do a better job in supply," he said.

He said Bohol is fast rising as a prime tourist destination for Japanese and Korean markets and will benefit from the construction of the P3.6-billion circumferential road and the proposed Panglao international airport.

Durano said the construction of the airport will start in 2008, once the procurement of land is completed this year. The project is seen to be finished by 2009.

"Bohol is becoming so popular that in Japan, Bohol is now packaged as the prime destination, with Cebu as the secondary," he said.

Saudi Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud has teamed up with Ayala Land to invest $150 million for a resort project in Bohol. The Saudi Prince is reportedly interested in the property of the Fonacier family, which owns the 168-room Bohol Beach Club.

Nearly half a million tourists, including about 40,000 foreign guests, visited Bohol last year, and the Department of Tourism expects this number to increase soon with the construction of more resorts and completion of vital infrastructure projects.

Executives of the nearby Bohol Beach Club, the largest resort in Panglao, confirmed this, saying that more than 80 percent of its 168 rooms were occupied.

Bohol Congressman Edgar Chato, who chairs the House committee on tourism, said there are only 2,500 hotel and resort rooms in Bohol at present, which are not enough to accommodate the influx of visitors.

Fe Ginete, sales and public relations manager of Tambuli Resorts, which operates the Bohol Beach Club, confirmed this, saying that Tambuli plans expansion projects for its resorts in Bohol and Cebu in the coming months in response to rising demand for accommodation in Central Visayas.

Congressman Edgar Chato said a masterplan for Bohol tourism is now being finalized, making it the first and only province developing a system for the tourism industry.

"Bohol is in the right place and the right time for the industry," Chato said. "It is a province worth investing in."

Aside from Panglao, other top attractions in Bohol include the 1,268 perfectly cone-shaped Chocolate Hills, the town of Corella which is home to endemic tarsiers, and the diving spots near Cabilao and Balicasag islands. Roderick T. dela Cruz

Book your flights to Bohol

Tourist Destination: CamSur water sports complex

2007-12-25T18:52:00.000+08:00

PILI, Camarines Sur (03 October 2007) - A provincial government-run water sports complex in this capital town has reinvigorated tourism and business activities in Bicol, prompting investors to open new hotels to accommodate the influx of foreign guests.

"In the first six months of 2007 alone, more than 57,000 foreign tourists visited Bicol, easily surpassing the 49,000 international visitors in the whole of 2006," said Maria Ong Ravanilla, the regional tourism officer for Bicol.

Ravanilla, speaking at the sidelines of the 8th national convention of the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) held at the world-class Cam Sur water sports complex, said that because of increased arrivals in Bicol, a 65-room first-class facility called Avenue Plaza Hotel opened in Naga City recently.

In Legaspi City, the Holiday Inn group won the bid to operate a 90-room hotel to be called LKY Hotel & Resort, she added.

Ravanilla said the Cam Sur water sports complex has buoyed tourism and business activities in Daet and the nearby Naga City while the whaleshark interaction in Donsol, Sorsogon had spillover effects on Naga City.

Including domestic tourists, she said Bicol drew 447,000 visitors in the first half and is on track of posting over 800,000 arrivals in 2007 for the first time. In 2006, Bicol received only 635,000 guests and in 2005, the number was only 501,000.

This year, Bicol is expected to benefit from P445 million in tourism revenues, up from P305 million in 2006, she added.

Tourism Undersecretary Oscar Palabyab credited the provincial government of Camarines Sur headed by Governor L-Ray Villafuerte for inducing tourism in Bicol.

"That is the advantage of having a young provincial governor with a vision for tourism," he said, adding that other local leaders are now looking at Camarines Sur as a model for tourism development. Roderick T. dela Cruz

Arrivals top 2 million in 8 months

PILI, Camarines Sur - International visitor arrivals to the Philippines hit two million in just the first eight months of 2007, putting the country on track of its target of drawing over 3 million foreign guests this year and 5 million by 2010.

"We will break the 3-million mark in international visitor arrivals for the first time this year," Tourism Undersecretary Oscar Palabyab said during the 8th national convention of the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines held at the world-class Cam Sur water sports complex.

Palabyab said tourism can be an effective catalyst for economic growth that can replace overseas Filipino workers' remittances as a source of foreign exchange in the future. "All the big companies are now into tourism development," he noted.

He said that in 2006, the country generated $2.7 billion in tourism receipts, but this can exceed $10 billion if concerted efforts are undertaken to promote tourism as a tool of economic development.

Palabyab admitted, however, that more investments would be needed to establish 20,000 hotel rooms to accommodate 5 million visitors over the next three years.

According to the Tourism Research and Statistics Division, international visitor arrivals reached 2.054 million in January to August this year, up by 8.5 percent from 1.893 million a year ago.

In August alone, arrivals jumped 10.3 percent year-on-year to 221,198, on the back of double-digit increase in the number of guests from Korea , China , and Hong Kong .

The League of Cities headed by Mandaluyong City Benhur Abalos Jr. said local leaders are now discovering tourism as an engine of economic development.

"We are going to sell Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao for tourism program," Abalos said. "There is beauty all over the country."

Tourism officials said the Cam Sur water sports complex, which will host the 2008 World Wake Boarding Competition in July next year, proves that tourism projects spearheaded by local government units can be effective in inducing economic growth.

With the completion of the six-hectare water sports complex in May 2006, visitor arrivals in Camarines Sur surged 67 percent to 180,804 in the first five months of 2007 from 108,450 during the same period in 2006, according to provincial tourism officer Mariefe Nolasco-Maralit.

Of the total number of visitors, 17,897 were from other countries such as Germany , Austria , Japan , the United States and Australia .

Maria Ong Ravanilla, the regional tourism officer for Bicol, said that because of increased arrivals in Camarines Sur and other parts of Bicol region, a 65-room first-class facility called Avenue Plaza Hotel opened in Naga City recently.

Ravanilla said Bicol drew 447,660 visitors in the first half and is on track of posting over 800,000 arrivals in 2007 for the first time. In 2006, Bicol received only 637,127 guests and in 2005, the number was only 501,000.

This year, Bicol is expected to benefit from P445 million in tourism revenues, up from P305 million in 2006, she added.

Palabyab credited the provincial government of Camarines Sur headed by Governor L-Ray Villafuerte for inducing tourism in Bicol.

"That is the advantage of having a young provincial governor with a vision for tourism," he said, adding that other local leaders are now looking at Camarines Sur as a model for tourism development.

Abalos said that to ensure that other cities will benefit from growth in tourism, the League of Cities will support House Bill No. 202, mandating that each local government unit assign a tourism officer. Roderick T. dela Cruz

Manila Overview: Makati Attractions

2007-12-25T18:50:00.000+08:00

Makati is the financial center of the Philippines, being the location of choice for the regional headquarters of multinational companies and the country's largest conglomerates. It is also home to the Philippine Stock Exchange.

Ayala Center is home to several shopping malls and restaurant rows. It is also surrounded by a number of hotels such as Oakwood Premiere Hotel (now Ascott), Hotel Intercontinental, Makati Shangri La, Dusit Hotel Nikko, and Renaissance Hotel. Also within walking distance are the Peninsula Manila and the Mandarin Oriental.

Towering buildings line up the streets of Ayala Avenue, Gil Puyat (formerly Buendia), Paseo de Roxas, and Makati Avenue. Across Buendia from the commercial business district (CBD) is a thriving tourist district, where hotel rates are more affordable.

Hotels in this area (Makati Avenue, Burgos Street, Jupiter Street) include Oxford Suites, City Garden Hotel, CEO Suites, Saint Illian's Inn, Somerset, Perla Mansion, Great Eastern Hotel, Millennium Plaza Hotel, Fraser Place, Citadel Inn, among others.

Enjoying the Philippines!

2007-12-25T18:47:00.000+08:00

Take a peek at Filipinos' history and culture mirrored by century-old churches, ancient forts and modern museums. See the best of nature in our white-sand beaches and three-layered virgin forests.

Blessed with an extensive coastline, the Philippines is ringed with unspoiled beaches and first-class resort facilities. Its deep-blue, crystal-clear waters offer about 40,000 square kilometers of coral reefs teeming with a wide variety of marine life.

Endowed with a tropical climate, the Philippines offers a perfect treat to enjoy the sunlight. Lying in southeast Asia and surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Philippines boasts of unsullied beaches, spectacular sunsets, luxuriant pastoral lands, cool mountain weather, brilliant man-made resorts and dazzling islands.

The Philippines boasts of some of the best beaches and scuba diving waters in the world. Witness the vast expanse of nature's splendor under the spell of cool mountain breeze. A perfect setting for romance or nature tripping, the country's mountain villages serve as a perfect hideaway from the lowlands' summer heat.

Feel the breeze of summer at white-sand beaches of Boracay, Panglao and Palawan deemed as among the world's finest; be fascinated at the spectacular view of Baguio, Sagada and Tagaytay; and take a dip in the refreshing waters of modern resort facilities.

If you have yet to see the Philippines, then embark now to what promises to be a trip to paradise!

DOT ATTACHED AGENCIES

2007-12-23T15:56:00.000+08:00

DOT ATTACHED AGENCIES

The Philippine Convention and Visitors' Corporation (PCVC) is the promotional arm of the Philippine Department of Tourism. The PCVC is tasked to plan and implement the country's tourism marketing efforts and promote the Philippines as a conventions destination.www.dotpcvc.gov.ph

The Philippine Tourism Authority(PTA) is the implementing arm of the Philippine Department of Tourism for policies and programs pertaining to the development, promotion and supervision of Philippine Tourism infrastructure projects.www.philtourism.com

Duty Free Philippines (DFP) was conceptualized through Executive Order No. 46 on September 4, 1986. Executive Order No. 46 authorized the Department of Tourism (DOT), through the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA), to establish and operate a duty and tax-free merchandising system in the Philippines.www.dfp.com.ph

Intramuros Administration (AI) is tasked with the restoration and development of Intramuros, the walled city of Manila.E-mail: intadmin@info.com.ph

The National Parks Development Committee (NPDC) was established primarily for the purpose of developing and maintaining assigned parks specifically the Rizal Park or Luneta (NPDC's flagship), Paco Park, the Pook ni Maria and Burnham Park.www.nationalparks.ph

The mission of Nayong Pilipino is to enshrine the rich national heritage of the Filipino through the authentic depiction of customs & traditions; of natural and historical legacies.E-mail: nayong_pilipino@yahoo.com

OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) is the independent government body tasked to be the over-all coordinating and national policy-making body for all culture and artistic endeavors in the country.www.ncca.gov.ph
DEPARTMENTS
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)

Embassies & Consulates
Department of Justice (DOJ)

Bureau of Immigration
Department of Finance (DOF)

Bureau of Customs
Department of Transportations and Communications (DOTC)

Manila International Airport Authority
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)
Department of Agriculture (DA)
Department of Budget and Management (DBM)
Department of Education (DepEd)
Department of Energy (DOE)
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
Department Health (DOH)
Department Labor and Employment (DOLE)
Department of National Defense (DND)
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)
Office of the Press Secretary (OPS)
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

2007-12-23T15:55:00.001+08:00

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
www.gov.ph This is the official site of the Republic of the Philippines an online starting point to the Philippine government, its agencies, officials and the most important news and information in the land.
Office of the Vice-President

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
The Philippine House of Representatives
The Philippine Senate
JUDICIAL BRANCH
The Supreme Court

OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

2007-12-23T15:55:00.000+08:00

OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) is the independent government body tasked to be the over-all coordinating and national policy-making body for all culture and artistic endeavors in the country.www.ncca.gov.ph
DEPARTMENTS
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)

Embassies & Consulates
Department of Justice (DOJ)

Bureau of Immigration
Department of Finance (DOF)

Bureau of Customs
Department of Transportations and Communications (DOTC)

Manila International Airport Authority
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)
Department of Agriculture (DA)
Department of Budget and Management (DBM)
Department of Education (DepEd)
Department of Energy (DOE)
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
Department Health (DOH)
Department Labor and Employment (DOLE)
Department of National Defense (DND)
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)
Office of the Press Secretary (OPS)
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)

Government

2007-12-23T15:54:00.001+08:00

Government

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
www.gov.ph This is the official site of the Republic of the Philippines an online starting point to the Philippine government, its agencies, officials and the most important news and information in the land.
Office of the Vice-President

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
The Philippine House of Representatives
The Philippine Senate
JUDICIAL BRANCH
The Supreme Court
DOT ATTACHED AGENCIES

The Philippine Convention and Visitors' Corporation (PCVC) is the promotional arm of the Philippine Department of Tourism. The PCVC is tasked to plan and implement the country's tourism marketing efforts and promote the Philippines as a conventions destination.www.dotpcvc.gov.ph

The Philippine Tourism Authority(PTA) is the implementing arm of the Philippine Department of Tourism for policies and programs pertaining to the development, promotion and supervision of Philippine Tourism infrastructure projects.www.philtourism.com

Duty Free Philippines (DFP) was conceptualized through Executive Order No. 46 on September 4, 1986. Executive Order No. 46 authorized the Department of Tourism (DOT), through the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA), to establish and operate a duty and tax-free merchandising system in the Philippines.www.dfp.com.ph

Intramuros Administration (AI) is tasked with the restoration and development of Intramuros, the walled city of Manila.E-mail: intadmin@info.com.ph

The National Parks Development Committee (NPDC) was established primarily for the purpose of developing and maintaining assigned parks specifically the Rizal Park or Luneta (NPDC's flagship), Paco Park, the Pook ni Maria and Burnham Park.www.nationalparks.ph

The mission of Nayong Pilipino is to enshrine the rich national heritage of the Filipino through the authentic depiction of customs & traditions; of natural and historical legacies.E-mail: nayong_pilipino@yahoo.com

2007-12-23T10:40:00.000+08:00

Location:

Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam

Capital: Manila

Currency: Philippine peso (PHP)

Coastline: 36,289 km

Maritime claims: territorial sea: irregular polygon extending up to 100 nm from coastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has also claimed polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea up to 285 nm in breadth exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: to depth of exploitation

Climate: tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October)

Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m; highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m

Natural resources: timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper

Land use: arable land: 19% permanent crops: 16.67% other: 64.33% (2005)

Irrigated land: 15,500 sq km (2003)

Natural hazards: astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms per year; landslides; active volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis

Environment - current issues: uncontrolled deforestation especially in watershed areas; soil erosion; air and water pollution in major urban centers; coral reef degradation; increasing pollution of coastal mangrove swamps that are important fish breeding grounds

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

Geography - note: the Philippine archipelago is made up of 7,107 islands; favorably located in relation to many of Southeast Asia's main water bodies: the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, and Luzon Strait

People

Population: 89,468,677 (July 2006 est.)

Nationality: noun: Filipino(s); adjective: Philippine

Ethnic groups: Tagalog 28.1%, Cebuano 13.1%, Ilocano 9%, Bisaya/Binisaya 7.6%, Hiligaynon Ilonggo 7.5%, Bikol 6%, Waray 3.4%, other 25.3% (2000 census)

Religions: Roman Catholic 80.9%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3%, Aglipayan 2%, other Christian 4.5%, Muslim 5%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.6%, none 0.1% (2000 census)

Languages: two official languages - Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English; eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan

Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 92.6%; male: 92.5%; female: 92.7% (2002)

Government

Country name: conventional long form: Republic of the Philippines; conventional short form: Philippines; local long form: Republika ng Pilipinas; local short form: Pilipinas

Government type: Republic Capital: Manila

Independence: 12 June 1898 (from Spain)

National holiday: Independence Day, 12 June (1898); note - 12 June 1898 was date of declaration of independence from Spain; 4 July 1946 was date of independence from US

Constitution: 2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987

Legal system: based on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Albert DEL ROSARIO
chancery: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 467-9300 FAX: [1] (202) 328-7614; consulate(s) general: Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, San Jose (Northern Mariana Islands), Tamuning (Guam); Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney; embassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita 1000, Manila
mailing address: PSC 500, FPO AP 96515-1000
telephone: [63] (2) 528-6300 FAX: [63] (2) 522-4361

Source: https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/rp.html

Culture

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The major cultural agencies of government are the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the National Historical Institute, the National Museum, The National Library, the Records Management and Archives Office, and the Commission on the Filipino Language. The Heads of these cultural agencies are all ex-officio members of the NCCA Board and all except the Commission on the Filipino Language are together under the National Commission on Culture and Arts.

People

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The Filipino is basically of Malay stock with a sprinkling of Chinese, American, Spanish, and Arab blood. The Philippines has a population of 76.5 million as of May 2000, and it is hard to distinguish accurately the lines between stocks. From a long history of Western colonial rule, interspersed with the visits of merchants and traders, evolved a people of a unique blend of east and west, both in appearance and culture.

The Filipino character is actually a little bit of all the cultures put together. The bayanihan or spirit of kinship and camaraderie that Filipinos are famous for is said to be taken from Malay forefathers. The close family relations are said to have been inherited from the Chinese. The piousness comes from the Spaniards who introduced Christianity in the 16th century. Hospitality is a common denominator in the Filipino character and this is what distinguishes the Filipino. Filipinos are probably one of the few, if not the only, English-proficient Oriental people today. Pilipino is the official national language, with English considered as the country's unofficial one.

The Filipinos are divided geographically and culturally into regions, and each regional group is recognizable by distinct traits and dialects - the sturdy and frugal llocanos of the north, the industrious Tagalogs of the central plains, the carefree Visayans from the central islands, and the colorful tribesmen and religious Moslems of Mindanao. Tribal communities can be found scattered across the archipelago. The Philippines has more than 111 dialects spoken, owing to the subdivisions of these basic regional and cultural groups.

The country is marked by a true blend of cultures; truly in the Philippines, East meets West. The background of the people is Indonesian and Malay. There are Chinese and Spanish elements as well. The history of American rule and contact with merchants and traders culminated in a unique blend of East and West, both in the appearance and culture of the Filipinos, or people of the Philippines.

Hospitality, a trait displayed by every Filipino, makes these people legendary in Southeast Asia. Seldom can you find such hospitable people who enjoy the company of their Western visitors. Perhaps due to their long association with Spain, Filipinos are emotional and passionate about life in a way that seems more Latin than Asian.

The Spaniards introduced Christianity (the Roman Catholic faith) and succeeded in converting the overwhelming majority of Filipinos. At least 83% of the total population belongs to the Roman Catholic faith.

The American occupation was responsible for teaching the Filipino people the English language. The Philippines is currently the third-largest English speaking country in the world.

About the Philippines

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The Philippines is the third largest English speaking country in the world. It has a rich history combining Asian, European, and American influences. Prior to Spanish colonization in 1521, the Filipinos had a rich culture and were trading with the Chinese and the Japanese. Spain's colonization brought about the construction of Intramuros in 1571, a "Walled City" comprised of European buildings and churches, replicated in different parts of the archipelago. In 1898, after 350 years and 300 rebellions, the Filipinos, with leaders like Jose Rizal and Emilio Aguinaldo, succeeded in winning their independence.

In 1898, the Philippines became the first and only colony of the United States. Following the Philippine-American War, the United States brought widespread education to the islands. Filipinos fought alongside Americans during World War II, particularly at the famous battle of Bataan and Corregidor which delayed Japanese advance and saved Australia. They then waged a guerilla war against the Japanese from 1941 to 1945. The Philippines regained its independence in 1946.

Filipinos are a freedom-loving people, having waged two peaceful, bloodless revolutions against what were perceived as corrupt regimes. The Philippines is a vibrant democracy, as evidenced by 12 English national newspapers, 7 national television stations, hundreds of cable TV stations, and 2,000 radio stations.

Filipinos are a fun-loving people. Throughout the islands, there are fiestas celebrated everyday and foreign guests are always welcome to their homes.

GOVERNMENT

The new Philippine Constitution was ratified in early 1987, signalling the country's return to democracy.

Executive Branch

Chief of state:
President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO and Vice President Noli de Castro; note: the president is both the chief of state and head of government

Cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the president with the consent of the Commission on Appointments

Elections: president and vice president elected on separate tickets for six-year terms; election last held 10 May 2004.

Legislative Branch

Bicameral Congress or Kongreso consists of the Senate or Senado (24 seats - one-half elected every three years; members elected to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan ( members elected to serve three-year terms; note: additional members may be appointed by the president but the Constitution prohibits the House of Representatives from having more than 250 members)

Elections: Senate - last held 10 May 2004; House of Representatives - last held 10 May 2004.

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court (justices are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council and serve until 70 years of age)

FAST FACTS

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Philippines is made up of 7,107 islands covering a land area of 115,739 sq. m. (299,764 sq. km.). Main island groups are Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Capital is Manila. Time Zone is GMT + 8 hours.

CLIMATE
March to May is hot and dry. June to October is rainy, November to February is cool. Average temperatures: 78Â°F / 25Â°C to 90Â°F / 32Â°C; humidity is 77%.

POPULATION
There are a total of 76.5 million Filipinos as of the latest national census in May, 2000. Population growth is estimated at 2.36 percent annually. Luzon, the largest island group, accounts for more than half of the entire population.

LANGUAGES
Two official languages --- Filipino and English. Filipino which is based on Tagalog, is the national language. English is also widely used and is the medium of instruction in higher education.

Eight (8) major dialects spoken by majority of the Filipinos: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense.

Filipino is that native language which is used nationally as the language of communication among ethnic groups. Like any living language, Filipino is in a process of development through loans from Philippine languages and non-native languages for various situations, among speakers of different social backgrounds, and for topics for conversation and scholarly discourse. There are about 76 to 78 major language groups, with more than 500 dialects.

RELIGIONS
Some 83% of Filipinos are Catholic. About 5% are Moslem. The rest are made up of smaller Christian denominations and Buddhist.

UNIT OF MEASURE
The Metric System is used in most trade and legal transactions.

ELECTRICITY
220 volts a/c is the common standard. 110 volts a/c is also used, especially in major hotels.

CURRENCY
The Philippines' monetary unit is the peso, divided into 100 centavos. Foreign currency may be exchanged at any hotels, most large department stores, banks, and authorized money changing shops accredited by the Central Bank of the Philippines. International credit cards such as Visa, Diners Club, Bank Americard, Master Card, and American Express are accepted in major establishments.

Best of the Islands

THE PHILIPPINES stands at the crossroads of the developed western world and the Orient. It lies in the heart of Southeast Asia, stretching more than 1,840 kilometers. Composed of 7,107 islands, the Philippines is readily accessible to the different capitals of the world. Its three main islands are Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The South China Sea washes its western shores. Taiwan, China and Hong Kong are northern neighbors and further north is Japan. To the west lie Southeast Asian countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. An arm of the archipelago reaches out towards Borneo and at its feet stands the chain of Indonesian islands. To the east and south, the waters of the Pacific Ocean sweep its headlands, looking out towards Micronesia and Polynesia.

Its unique location has made the Philippines the commercial, cultural and intellectual hub of Asia from the dawn of history.

8 Tourist Anchor Destinations

MANILA
Manila is a microcosm of the rhythm of the islands, named after a delicate white mangrove plant, this charming city lives as a silent witness to the country's turbulent history. Once ruled by the Islamic Rajah Sulayman, the city was captured one after the other by the Spaniards, the Americans, and then the Japanese. Today, the city is the country's capital, a fast growing metropolis spurred by the country's robust economy. Given its fascinating history, Manila is a showcase of different cultures. The enterprising tourist might want to visit the ruins of Intramuros or Corregidor, the greens of Rizal Park, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the mystique of Chinatown, or the urban veneer of Makati and Ortigas.

CEBU
In the island of Cebu, the worlds of business and leisure go hand in hand. Called the "Queen City of the South", Cebu is the site of the new and exciting business ventures between local and foreign capital. But amidst such hectic commercial activity, Cebu's numerous beach resorts and exhilirating historicity beckon tourists of all races. The city is also blessed with numerous museums and churches. As for the shopping, Cebu offers a lot of souvenir ideas from export quality fashion accessories and furniture, handcrafted guitars and handicrafts, to dried mango preserves, sugar coated biscuits, and peanut wafers.

DAVAO
Known for its elegant orchids, exotic fruits and Muslim heritage, Davao is a bustling city teeming with cultural diversity. It is the industrial hub of Mindanao with corporate centers, manufacturing sites, shopping centers, hotels, and casinos. Davao also features various points of interest for the adventurous visitor. Mt. Apo, the highest peak in the country and home to the Philippine Eagle, is a close distance from Davao City. Caroland Farms, 13 kms from the city, is a bird and wild duck sanctuary. Samal island offers an array of beach resorts for serious unwinding.

BAGUIO
The country's summer capital, Baguio City, stands amidst the mountainous region of the Cordillera. Situated 1,500 meters above the sea, Baguio is one of the few places in the country blessed with a cool climate. At any given time, it is eight degrees cooler in Baguio than the lowlands. Apart from the numerous sightseeing "musts": Burnham Park, Club John Hay, Lourdes Grotto and the Mines View Park, Baguio is also a great shopping place. Delight on freshest vegetables and strawberries, Baguio is also the jump-off point to the famous Banawe Rice Terraces.

BORACAY
Known far and wide as an island paradise, Boracay has charmed vacationers with its powder white sand, crystal blue waters and purposely laid-back pace. Located at the northern tip of Panay island, Boracay is about three hours away from Manila. Sun worshippers from all over the world visit Boracay yearly, and some have even made it their second home. It is no wonder, therefore, that French, German, Spanish and English can be heard spoken in the island. The culinary fare is equally exciting, featuring a wide range from Thai and Austrian to Belgian and Filipino. Numerous water sports facilities, including dive shops, are on hand as well as a sprinkling of bars and discos. Most visitors, however, prefer to sit back and enjoy the sun.

PALAWAN
An island of peace and quiet, it seems time has stood still for Palawan. Situated between Mindoro Island and North Borneo, Palawan is the country's last frontier. It is the home of over 80 cultural minority groups.It is a sanctuary for the most exotic plant, animal and aquatic life in the country including the Calamian deer, the Palawan bearcat and the tarsier. As if these were not enough, Palawan also features white sand beaches, black marble caves, and breathtaking dive sites. Visit Calauit Island, Ursula Island, El Nido beach, and Saint Paul Park for an unforgettable Palawan sojourn.

BOHOL
The country's tenth largest island, Bohol is a veritable masterpiece of nature with its blend of pristine white beaches, wonderful dive sites, virgin forests and rolling hills. Situated in Central Visayas, Bohol is particularly popular for the Chocolate Hills. This natural wonder consists of hundreds of dome-shaped limestone hills covered with grass which dried up and turn brown under the sun. It is also in Bohol where the historic blood compact between the Boholano chieftain Sikatuna and Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Legaspi took place. Other points of interest include the Jesuit-built Baclayon Church and the underground watersprings of Hinagdanan Cave.

LAOAG/VIGAN
Time-locked Ilocos is a broad hardy country blessed with impressive wide highways and stretches of narrow cobblestoned roads, antiquated towns dominated by heavily-buttressed grand churches and Antillan ancestral homes, and a brave people who, by sheer industry, harnessed a formidable terrain into a source of sustenance. A seemingly tempestuous sea rimmed with uneven rock formations and ascetic mountains are the two scenic images that first impress the visitor to Ilocos. Wedged between the wild China Sea and the rugged Cordillera mountain range, the region presents a visual feast that is at once dazzling in its boldness. Divided into Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte, their capitals - Vigan and Laoag City - are anchor tourist destinations and part of the 7,000 times more islands that make up the Philippine archipelago.

Tourism Highway

BEING an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands scattered over 114,000 square kilometers is no obstacle to travel in the Philippines. The country's geographical structure and makeup has, in fact, proven to be an advantage to the traveler, particularly the adventurous, daring and enterprising.

Traveling overland the entire length of the Philippines is now possible through the Pan Philippine Highway. Also known as the Maharlika Highway, the road network runs from Manila to Laoag City via Cagayan Valley in northern Luzon and from Manila to Davao in Mindanao via Bicol in southern Luzon, and Samar and Leyte in eastern Visayas.

Twenty-six areas in Luzon and seven areas in the Bicol region, the Visayas and Mindanao have been designated as Scenic Highways, all with great amenities for the traveller.
The Philippines in the World

THE PHILIPPINES is readily accessible from the travel capitals of the world. Traveling time to Manila from Hong Kong is an hour and 50 minutes; Singapore, 3 hours and 10 minutes; Bangkok, 3 hours and 50 minutes; Tokyo, 4 hours and 15 minutes; Sydney, 10 hours and 20 minutes; London, 20 hours and 45 minutes; Paris, 21 hours and 15 minutes; Frankfurt, 19 hours and 40 minutes; San Francisco, 16 hours and 15 minutes; Los Angeles, 15 hours and 20 minutes; and New York, 25 hours and 20 minutes

Travel Tax Primer

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Travel Tax Primer

Philippine Tourism Authority
Department of Tourism Building
TM Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila

What is Travel Tax?

The travel tax is a levy imposed by the Philippine government on the following individuals who are leaving the country irrespective of the place where the air ticket is issued and the form or place of payment, as provided for by Presidential Decree (PD) 1183, as amended:

A. Citizens of the Philippines;
B. Permanent resident aliens whose immigration status maybe any of the following:

Sec. 13 Quota or Preference Immigrant Visa
Sec. 13 A Visa issued to an Alien Spouse of Philippine Citizen
Sec. 13 B Child born outside the Philippines by a 13A Mother
Sec. 13 C Child born in the Philippines by a 13A Mother
Sec. 13 D Loss of Citizenship by a Filipino Woman by her Marriage to an Alien
Sec. 13 E Returning Resident
Sec. 13 G Former Natural-born Citizen of the Philippines who was Naturalized by a Foreign Country
TRV Temporary Residence Visa
RA 7919 Alien Social Integration Act of 1995
RC /RFC Recognition as Filipino Citizen
RA 7837 Permanent Resident

C. Non-resident aliens who have stayed in the Philippines for more than one(1) year.

Note: Non-immigrant aliens who have not stayed in the Philippines for more than a year are not covered by the travel tax. However, PTA F356 need to be prepared by the ticketing officer for passengers with the following immigration status except for FGO & their dependents (Sec. 9E) who have stayed for more than a year, they have to secure Travel Tax Exemption Certificate.

EO 408 / E0 Tourist without visa
- EO 21 Stay valid for 21 days
- 11 Days Stay valid for 11 days
- 7 Days Stay valid for 7 days
BB Balikbayan

Sec. 9A Temporary Visitor coming for business or for pleasure or for reasons of health
Sec. 9B Transit Passengers
Sec. 9C Foreign Seamen
Sec. 9D Treaty Trader / Investor
Sec. 9E Foreign Government Officials
Sec. 9F Foreign Students
Sec. 9G Pre-arranged Employee
47 A2/PEZA Special Non-immigrant Visa
47B Refugees
PD 1034 Executives of Multinational Companies
EO 63 / EO 226 / RA 8756 Omnibus Investment Act of 1987
- SIRV - Special Investor Resident Visa
RA 7227 Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992
- SSIV - Subic Special Investor's Visa
- SSRV - Subic Special Retiree Visa
- SSRV - Subic Special Retiree Visa
- SSWV - Subic Special Working Visa
- SCWV - Special Clark Working Visa
EO 1037 / SRRV Special Resident Retiree Visa
EO 191 Granting No-Visa Entry for Initial Stay of 7 Days for Chinese Nationals who are holders of Macao - Portuguese Passport
LOI 911 / LOI Granting No-Visa Entry for Initial Stay of 7 Days for holders of HK-British-HK-SAR Passport

As mandated by the law, the taxes are divided among the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA), the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC), the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Commission for Higher Education (CHED), and the General Fund of the National Government for use in government programs.

What are the Travel Tax rates?

First Class
Passage Economy Class
Passage

Full rate PHP 2700 PHP 1620
Standard reduced
rate PHP 1350 PHP 810
Privileged reduced
rate for Overseas Contract Workers'
(OCWs) dependents PHP 400 PHP 300

Who can avail of a Travel Tax exemption/reduced rate and What are the documents required?

(Presentation of passport required in all cases.)

A. Section 2 of PD 1183, as amended, provides that the following are exempted from the payment of the travel tax:

Foreign diplomatic representatives

Certification from the Office of Protocol, Department of Foreign Affairs or Embassy/Consulate

Employees of the United Nations (UN) Organization or its agencies

UN passport or Certification of employment from the UN office or its agency

Note: Dependents are also exempted if travel is paid for and certified by the UN. For dependents of employees of other UN agencies, a certification and proof from the organization/agency is required.

United States (US) Military Personnel including dependents and other US nationals with fares paid for by the US Government or on US Government-owned/chartered transport facilities.

Government Transport Request (GTR) or certification from the US Embassy.

Filipino Overseas Contract Workers

If hired through POEA, Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) from POEA
If directly hired abroad, a Certificate of Employment issued by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate in the place of hire or an employment contract authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate

International carrier crew

Certification from the Bureau of Air Transportation that crew member is joining his aircraft, indicating name of crew member, position and location of aircraft

Filipino permanent residents abroad whose stay in the Philippines is less than one (1) year.

Copies of the ID pages of passport and stamp of last arrival in RP
Proof of permanent residence in foreign country (e.g. US Green Card, Canadian form 1000, etc.)

Philippine Foreign Service personnel assigned abroad and their dependents

Certification from the Department of Foreign Affairs to this effect

Philippine government (excluding government-owned and controlled corporations) employees on official travel

Certified true copy of travel authority or travel order from Secretary concerned to this effect (Malacanang approval of travel needed for two or more employees and for those with rank of Asst. Secretary and above)

Grantees of foreign government-funded trips

Proof that travel is provided/funded by a foreign government.

Students with approved scholarships by appropriate government agency

Certification from concerned Philippine government agency

Note: "Student" is defined as a person attending formal classes in an educational institution
for the purpose of taking up a course leading to a diploma the duration of which is not less than one year.

Infants (2 years & below)

In case where original passport cannot be presented, original Birth Certificate and photocopy of ID page of passport.

Personnel (and their dependents) of Philippine offices of multinational companies not engaged in business in the Philippines

Certification from the Board of Investments

Those authorized by the President of the Republic of the Philippines

Written authorization from the Office of the President which explicitly entitles the passenger to an exemption

B. RA 6768 provides for the exemption of the following from payment of the travel tax:

Balikbayans whose stay in the Philippines is less than one (1) year

ID pages of passport and stamp of last departure from and arrival in the Philippines (duration of which is at least one year)
Ticket used in traveling to the Philippines

Family members of former Filipinos accompanying the latter

Foreign passport of former Filipino or other evidence of former Philippine Citizenship
Birth certificate or adoption papers of children and/or marriage contract of accompanying spouse

Note: Exemption under RA 6768 is available only if the individual does not fall under any of the exempted categories provided under Sec. 2 of P. D. 1183, as amended.

C. Section 2-A of PD 1183, as amended, states that the following are entitled to a standard reduced travel tax rate:

Minors from 2 to 12 years

In case where original passport cannot be presented, original Birth Certificate and photocopy of ID page of passport.
Filipino journalists on journalistic assignment

Certification from the Office of the Press Secretary and
Certification/Accreditation from the journalist's editor or station manager
Those authorized by the President of the Republic of the Philippines

Written authority from the Office of the President which explicitly entitles the passenger to a reduced rate

D. Section 2-B of PD 1183, as amended, states that the following are entitled to a privileged reduced travel tax rate:

Legitimate spouse of overseas contract worker (OCW)

Passport
POEA Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) / balikmanggagawa form
Marriage contract
Legitimate unmarried children of OCW below 21 years old

Passport
OEC / balikmanggagawa form
Birth certificate

The "Pearl of the Orient Seas".....

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The "Pearl of the Orient Seas".....

Mabuhay! Whether you are careering in a bumpy multi-coloured jeepney along chaotic streets, or trotting gently in a horse drawn calesa through historic avenues; scuba diving in some of the world's finest waters or taking on the challenge of a mountain trek, the Philippines has everything to offer the adventurous traveller.

Welcome to Trek-Philippines - the eco-friendly back-packer and accommodation specialists.

Our task is to introduce the wonders of the Philippine Islands to the environmentally conscious traveller.

To people who care about the welfare and protection of different cultures and habitats.

To people who will have an affinity and understanding of the need to develop, enhance and sustain an ecologically friendly approach to tourism.

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Visit the Philippines

...and bring valuable economic contributions to the Philippines, but also as a traveller it is important to treat the ground you walk upon with the same respect you would expect from anyone walking up your own front garden.

The Filipino differs from no other in desiring an equal opportunity to make a living in a competitive world.

Visit the country, shake the hand, reward the endeavour and applaud the tenacity. Tread lightly on the land and gaze in awe at it's beauty.

Take nothing but your memories, leave nothing but goodwill. Treat your host as a much loved friend, and you will be rewarded manifold.