Among the fourteen million foreign tourists Vietnam attracted during the first seven months of 2026 are visitors from the Philippines totaling 416,000, according to report by VnExpress. The authorities have described the Philippines as having the biggest increase among Southeast Asian markets.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…
The number of visitors from the Philippines to Vietnam jumped 63.6% year-on-year between January and July to 416,000, the biggest increase among Southeast Asian markets.
In the region, there were huge increases also in the number of arrivals from Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. They increased by 40.8%, 31%, 27.3%, and 21.6%, according to the General Statistics Office.
The tourism industry attributed the jump in the number of visitors from Southeast Asia to a rapidly expanding flight network and growing demand for intra-regional travel.
Indonesia AirAsia launched a direct flight connecting Bali (Denpasar) and Da Nang on March 20 while Vietjet launched a direct route connecting Da Nang and Jakarta on April 29.
In March,Philippines AirAsia launched a new direct route linking Da Nang with Manila in the Philippines.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Considering the strong Filipino interest on visiting Vietnam, would you be surprised to see Vietnam attract 1,000,000 visitors from the Philippines by the end of this year? What do you think makes Vietnam a special travel destination for Filipinos?
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco
With tourism industry of Vietnam is undeniably growing rapidly as almost fourteen million foreign tourists arrived there during the first seven months of 2026, according to report by VnExpress.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…
Vietnam welcomed 13.9 million international arrivals during the first seven months this year, up 13.8% from a year earlier, as the country’s image as a safe and stable destination continued to attract travelers amid geopolitical tensions worldwide.
In July alone, the number of foreign visitors to Vietnam reached 1.67 million,down 0.7% year-on-year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).
Mainland China remained the largest source of visitors so far this year with 3.08 million, followed by South Korea with 2.38 million.
The rest of the top 10 were Russia, Taiwan, the U.S., Cambodia, India, Japan, the Phillippines and Australia.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Considering how many foreign tourists it attracted so far this year, do you think Vietnam will eventually hit 24 million foreign tourist arrivals by the end of 2026? Do you think the new Long Thanh International Airport will somehow help attract a large number of overseas travelers once it starts operating this December?
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco
Following the unfortunate decision made the by Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) regarding birthright citizenship, US President Donald J. Trump signed two new Executive Orders to formally end birth tourism while also protecting the meaning and value of American citizenship.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the News24 (formerly Sky News Australia) video covering the Oval Office. Watch it and pay close attention to the details.
In America, birth tourism is already a huge problem that has yet to be full resolved. If it is left unchecked, it will negatively impact and even deform democracy in the US. That said, President Trump signed the Executive Order ending birth tourism. To understand it fully, posted below is the entire content of the said Executive Order sourced from the White House website. Some parts in boldface…
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:
Section 1. Purpose. United States citizenship is among the greatest inheritances the Nation can bestow. It embodies a sacred bond between the American people and the Nation in which they live, and carries profound rights, privileges, and responsibilities reflective of the enduring allegiance of citizens to the United States and our Constitution. Citizenship is not a commodity to be acquired through calculated exploitation and evasion of the immigration laws, such as by entering the United States on a nonimmigrant visa for the purpose of giving birth within the Nation’s borders.
Birth tourism operators use deceptive advertisements and inducements to entice foreign nationals to travel to the United States for the purpose of giving birth on American soil. They promise citizenship; access to public benefits; and short-term stays in specialized facilities, hotels, or rentals, but often fail to deliver on these promises. These operators coach their clients to misrepresent the purpose and duration of their travel to consular and border officials to obtain visas authorizing entry into the United States. Failure to appropriately combat these schemes has resulted in thriving industries around the world that profit by enabling the evasion of American immigration laws to obtain citizenship and other immigration benefits for foreign visitors, and the exploitation of the women who travel here for purposes of giving birth.
The immigration laws of the United States establish discrete categories of temporary nonimmigrant visas to allow foreign visitors into the United States for study, exchange, temporary employment, tourism, and other transitory activities that are now exploited by birth tourism operators. Participants in birth tourism schemes abuse these categories to establish a permanent foothold in the United States by securing the advantage of citizenship for their children and then potentially for themselves.
Birth tourism, defined in section 3 of this order, undermines the integrity of the Nation’s immigration system by enabling foreign nationals to exploit their temporary admission to obtain permanent immigration-related benefits. Birth tourism also diverts limited consular inspection and enforcement resources away from legitimate visa applicants, erodes public confidence in the faithful enforcement of the immigration laws, and impairs the executive branch’s ability to protect the national security.
The United States has a compelling interest in ensuring that each visa category is used only for the purpose for which it was established. Foreign nationals seeking temporary admission into the United States must adhere to the purposes for which the Congress has authorized their temporary admission, and cannot be permitted to circumvent the immigration laws in an attempt to vest themselves and their children with lasting benefits that are irreconcilable with their nonimmigrant status.
It is therefore the policy of the United States to promote the integrity of its immigration system, to ensure that nonimmigrant visa classifications are used only for their lawful and intended purposes, and to prevent the exploitation of those classifications by persons engaging in birth tourism.
Sec. 2. Authorities. Pursuant to section 301 of title 3, United States Code, the authority granted to the President under section 215(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1185(a), is hereby delegated to the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security to the extent necessary to implement this order, including the authority to issue or adopt rules, policies, operational guidance, or other guidance to carry out this order.
Sec. 3. Definition. For purposes of this order, “birth tourism” is defined as:
(a) the entry of any foreign national into the United States via a nonimmigrant visa for the purpose of giving birth on American soil; or
(b) any effort by any foreign national to facilitate the entry of any foreign national into the United States via a nonimmigrant visa for the purpose of giving birth on American soil.
Sec. 4. Scope and Implementation. (a) The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall take such actions and update any rules, policies, operational guidance, or other guidance as necessary to effectuate the policy set forth in this order. Such actions may include, within the Secretaries’ respective discretion and authority, appropriate action to prevent the entry into the United States of, or the granting of any visa or other travel authorization to, any alien entering or attempting to enter the United States for the purpose of engaging in birth tourism; revoking the visa or travel authorization and permanently barring entry of any alien who enters or attempts to enter the United States for the purpose of engaging in birth tourism; denial of entry to, or removal of, any alien who previously engaged or plans to engage in birth tourism; or other appropriate action against entities, organizations, or individuals, within or outside of the United States, responsible for facilitating or enabling birth tourism in any manner.
(b) All other relevant executive departments and agencies shall provide such records and information as are necessary for the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security to implement the terms of this order and the rules, policies, operational guidance, or other guidance issued pursuant to it, subject to applicable law.
Sec. 5. Exemptions. Notwithstanding the restrictions imposed by this order, the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Homeland Security may exempt a foreign national from actions taken pursuant to this order on humanitarian grounds or when the foreign national’s entry is in the national interest, as determined by the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Homeland Security.
Sec. 6. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
(d) If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any person or circumstances, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of any of its other provisions to any other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.
(e) The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of Homeland Security.
DONALD J. TRUMP
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the two new Executive Orders signed by Trump will effectively end birth tourism while protecting the value of American citizenship? What kind of responses do you think the Democrats will come up with to oppose the Executive Orders. Do you think Islamist states like Iran, Pakistan, Qatar and Bangladesh are deliberately sending their citizens to America with birth tourism in mind? Did you spot any Chinese nationals engaging in birth tourism in America lately?
The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has officially launched the Swiss challenge for the P7 billion proposal for the upgrading and management of the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA) and this opened the field for entities to submit their proposals challenging the existing proposal of Cerberus Asia Pacific Investments LLC, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.
For previous blog posts about the SBIA project, click here, here and here.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…
The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has formally started the Swiss challenge for the ₱7-billion proposal to manage and upgrade the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA), as it issued a call to potential challengers to submit competing offers.
In a bid bulletin dated July 31, theSBMA invited firms to submit their comparative proposals for the project proposed by United States (US)-based Cerberus Asia Pacific Investments LLC.
SBMA saidinterested firms have until Oct. 29 to submit their proposals, with thebid opening scheduled to take place on the same day. A pre-bid conference to clarify the requirements and address queries from participating firms is set for Sept. 14.
Under a Swiss challenge, also known as a comparative challenge, the SBMA is allowing other companies to match the unsolicited proposal for the SBIA submitted by Cerberus, which was approved in April last year.
Cerberus has been granted original proponent (OP) status by the SBMA for its unsolicited proposal to upgrade, expand, operate, and maintain the SBIA. As the OP, Cerberus will have the right to match the best offer during the challenge process.
Cerberus is seeking to manage the SBIA under a 25-year operate-rehabilitate-add-transfer scheme to develop the gateway into a strategic cargo and logistics hub that would help ease congestion at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
“Currently underutilized, SBIA requires substantial investment and comprehensive operational improvements to realize its full potential over the concession period,” SBMA said.
Cerberus is planning to invest ₱7 billion to develop the project, nearly 13 percent higher than the initial project cost pegged at around ₱6.2 billion.
The investment will focus on upgrading existing airport facilities to align them with international benchmarks, alongside the development of new facilities to transform the airport into a higher-capacity logistics hub.
SBMA noted that the airport’s location and air-to-sea access pose a significant opportunity to develop it into a hub for commercial cargo and warehousing.
“This highlights a growing demand for air cargo services, driven by the need for industrial supplies and the transportation of finished products,” it said.
In addition, SBMA noted that the ongoing development of the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) further increases the need for improved air connectivity.
The LEC is an initiative led by the Philippines, the US, and Japan aimed at accelerating high-impact investments to enhance connectivity between Subic Bay, Clark, Manila, and Batangas.
“All these factors lead to the conclusion that the manufacturing industry in the Philippines, and particularly Central Luzon, is highly likely to significantly grow in the upcoming decade, both in terms of size of current facilities, and additional factories,” SBMA said.
“This leads to demand for air cargo in terms of industrial supplies, as well as output products, and attracts population growth and consumer wealth, leading to consumption increase and related air cargo demand,” it added.
By developing the SBIA, SBMA said it is ensuring that Clark International Airport will not be the only alternative once NAIA reaches its cargo capacity limit in the future.
The agency said an upgraded SBIA can ensure competitive pricing and provide additional options for airlines operating or planning to set up shop in Manila.
With this, Subic Bay is expected to help accommodate an additional 200,000 tons of cargo by 2035.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think there will be a lot of corporations locally and overseas that will submit their Subic Bay International Airport proposals to the SBMA? When was the last time you arrived at the international airport in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone?
Welcome back my readers, YouTube viewers and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching.
Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?
I recommend you check out the following videos I found.
#1 A Look At The Johnson County War – If you have seen the 1980 movie Heaven’s Gate, then you have been exposed to the Johnson County War which was a ranger war in the state of Wyoming that happened from 1889 to 1893. What the movie showed, however, was a historical fiction presentation and it could not be taken seriously as a reference of American history. To learn about the Johnson County War with historical attention, watch the video below.
#2 Popcorn in Bed Reacts To U-571 – Speaking of historical fiction, have you seen the movie U-571? When that movie was released in 2000, it only reminded me of other submarine movies like Das Boot, The Hunt For Red October and Crimson Tide. The movie directed by Jonathan Mostow and starring Matthew McConaughey made a lot of buzz when it opened at #1 in the American box office and that success influenced a lot of moviegoers here in the Philippines to watch it in local cinemas. I never saw U-571 but I noticed how much of an impact it had on Popcorn in Bed’s reaction video which I encourage you to watch.
#3 Japan Pushes Back Against Islam – There is a disturbing trend that has been happening in Japan that their local media and the international news organizations are not telling you…the Islamic foreigners there have been causing a series of disturbances such as occupying public spaces for Muslim prayers/gatherings, littering, rape, the construction of an illegal mosque and more. That said, there are lots of Japanese nationalists and concerned citizens who are fighting back and expressing demands and complaints to their government officials. It is clear that the Muslim foreigners there in Japan have this collective mindset of conquering Japan, violating the Japanese and gaining power under the guise of multiculturalism and political correctness. Watch the videos below.
#4 The Relevance Of The 1990s – Remember how unique the 1990s was when it comes to the evolution of technology, the marketing of products, the gradual transformation of pop culture in America and the like? There was indeed something special about the said decade which explains the driving force behind the Millennials’ nostalgia about it. To find out more, watch the video below.
#5 When Hollywood Released Two Similar Movies In 1998 – Way back in 1998, moviegoers worldwide saw two movies from Hollywood that had similar concepts about the world getting hit by something from deep space. The movies were Deep Impact and Armageddon, and they were released in the same summer box office season in America. Deep Impact was more dramatic and tried hard to be believable while Armageddon was highly exaggerated and had Michael Bay’s flair all over it. The two films were released at a time when disaster movies had a resurgence and they used computer-generated images to make realize their respective visual concepts. I find an analytical video about the two 1998 movies and I encourage you all to watch it.
#6 You, Me And The Movies React To Ghost In The Shell (1995) – There are many reasons why the 1995 anime feature film Ghost in the Shell is very significant. The adaptation of Masamune Shirow’s literary Ghost in the Shell was made with very high production values under the direction of Mamoru Oshii, the story had many futuristic concepts that became very relevant today, and it was very influential for many Hollywood filmmakers. That said, I liked how the anime feature film drew reactions from You, Me and the Movies, and their reaction video is a must-see!
#7 Casablanca Reaction Video Of EOM Reacts – There is nothing like watching a classic, black-and-white movie like Casablanca. Set in French Morocco, the story follows many characters dealing with the uncertainty of war and it is inside the nightclub and gambling den of American expatriate Rick Blaine where a lot of developments happened. The 1942 movie is memorable with its top-notch stars (Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman are phenomenal), the dramatic plot, the immersive settings and many iconic lines and moments. I have seen the movie a few times already on 4K Blu-ray format and I enjoyed watching EOM Reacts’ video of it. Go watch his video below.
#8 Soba Getting Reinvented In Japan – Soba – a Japanese noodle made from buckwheat flour – is getting reinvented in Japan as the traditional shops there are struggling with the rising costs of ingredients as well as a growing shortage of successors to the operators. In an effort to stay in business while avoiding raising prices, the surviving soba restaurants (and some new ones) there are reinventing the dining experience and doing other things to preserve the traditional soba culture. Watch and learn from the video below.
#9 Ranting For Vengeance Slams Zach Cregger And His Resident Evil Movie – As some of you already know, there is another new live-action movie of Resident Evil coming out soon and the early previews showed very little connections with the Resident Evil games of Capcom. Actor Zach Cregger is the director and co-writer of the new Resident Evil movie and Ranting for Vengeance slammed him hard in his recent YouTube video. Not only that, the YouTuber also backed up his criticism on Cregger and the 2026 Resident Evil movie with facts and details that you have to see. That said, go watch his video below and pay close attention to the details.
#10 Atari Jaguar CD Revisited – While I played a lot of games of Atari (both on Atari 2600 console and arcade games) in my life, I never owned an Atari Jaguar nor its CD-ROM add-on device. Indeed, there was a time in the 1990s when Atari got back in console gaming starting with the Jaguar console that operated with games in cartridge format. A short time later, the add-on Atari Jaguar CD was released and it looked like a toilet with the lid open. To learn more about the Atari Jaguar CD, watch the retro gaming video below.
With its booming tourism industry making huge economic impact, Vietnam surpassed Thailand as and emerged as the 2nd largest aviation market in Southeast Asia this past July, according to a news report by VnExpress.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…
Vietnam surpassed Thailand to become the second largest Southeast Asian aviation market with 7.4 million seats in July, an increase in capacity of 5.6% year-on-year, according to a report by British aviation analytics firm OAG.
Indonesia remained the largest Southeast Asia market with 10.9 million seats, up 0.3% year-on-year.
Thailand, which held the second spot in previous months, slipped to third place with 6.9 million seats, a 3% reduction in capacity, followed by Malaysia and the Phillippines. The report said capacity reduced in Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines due to the Middle East crisis.
Vietnam Airlines is the largest airline in Southeast Asia in July with 2.81 million seats, growing by just 0.1% year-on-year, according to OAG.
Overall capacity in the Southeast Asian market reduced by 1.2% compared to July last year to 50.4 million seatsdue to rising fuel costs triggered by political tensions in the Middle East, OAG reported.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Considering its rapidly growing tourism industry, were you surprised that Vietnam registered 7.4 million seats this past July? Considering what was achieved recently, do you think Vietnam will grow further as an aviation market once its new Long Thanh International Airport becomes operational?
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco
Following the raid of illegal hotels in Phuket, Thailand, the local authorities in Bangkok issued orders to almost eighty entertainment venues to shut down over widespread licensing and safety violations, according to a VnExpress news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…
Authorities in Bangkok, Thailand’s nightlife hub, have ordered 79 entertainment venues to suspend operations after a week-long inspection campaign uncovered widespread licensing and safety violations across the capital.
Nineteen establishments were ordered to suspend live music performances for lacking the required entertainment permits, while60 businesses were temporarily shut down for operating without valid licences, Thairath Online news site reported.
The inspections, carried out between July 19 and 26, covered865 of the city’s 1,204 targeted entertainment venues, or about 72% of the total, Deputy Bangkok Governor Pornphrom Vikitsreth said as quoted by The Nation.
The inspections came after a fire tore through a beer hall and live music venue in Bangkok’s Chatuchak District on July 12,killing 36 people and injuring 70inThailand’s deadliest blaze in more than a decade.
Authorities said inspections of entertainment venues and similar businesses will continue across Bangkok to strengthen public safety, ensure operators comply with regulations and restore confidence among both local patrons and foreign tourists visiting the city’s nightlife districts.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? If you plan to visit Bangkok soon, do you think the current crackdown by the local authorities will make the city safer for tourists?
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco
In a serious attempt to attract more travelers from Southeast Asia, the tourism ministry of Israel enhanced the existing ties with travel agencies in the Philippines and Singapore, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of the PNA. Some parts in boldface.
Israel’s Ministry of Tourism is seeking to attract more travelers from Southeast Asia by strengthening ties with travel agencies in the Philippines and Singapore, as it promotes the country’s destinations and assures visitors of safety.
The ministry recently hosted a seven-day familiarization tour for travel agents from both countries, showcasing Israel’s religious, historical, adventure and leisure attractions as part of its campaign to expand arrivals from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region.
The itinerary includedvisits to Jerusalem, Dead Sea and Tel Aviv, as well as a jeep tour through the Judean Desert and a wine tour in the Golan Heights.
Hassan Madah, international director of the Israel Ministry of Tourism in Jerusalem, said the country remains open to international visitors.
“We welcome you all. Israel is open to everyone, and travelers can be assured that our country is safe to visit,” Madah said.
He saidthe ministry hopes to welcome more visitors from the Philippines and Singapore, citing the country’s religious sites, historic cities, deserts and beaches as key attractions.
The ministry identified thePhilippines as one of its priority markets in Asia, alongside India, China and South Korea, with growth driven largely by faith-based travel.
Singapore, meanwhile, is considered a strategic market because of its position as a regional aviation and travel hub.
The tourism ministry said it has been strengthening partnerships with Southeast Asian travel industry stakeholders through regional events, including ITB Asia in Singapore.
Despite the lack of direct flights between the Philippines and Israel, Filipino arrivals have remained steady, according to the ministry.
TheDepartment of Tourism and the Israel Ministry of Tourism have signed a joint declaration of intent to promote two-way tourism and are engaged in discussions with airlines on improving connectivity.
Israel Ministry of Tourism Philippines Marketing Manager Anna Oraiza Aban saidvisa-free travel access for Philippine and Singaporean passport holders makes visits to Israel more convenient.
To all my readers, I encourage you to thank the Lord for this breakthrough of cooperation between Israel and both the Philippines and Singapore as the Jewish state seeks more visitors from Southeast Asia.
As such, I encourage you all to pray to the Lord for this breakthrough to lead to more breakthroughs in terms of improved travel, more connections between Israel and Southeast Asia, and more opportunities for Southeast Asian people to visit the Holy Land and realize the legacy of God, Lord Jesus and the Jewish people.
At the same time, I encourage you all to realize the truth that Israel is the land God designated specifically for the Jewish people (read Genesis 35:10-12) and His command must be followed without hesitation. If you want to be blessed further by the Lord, do so by loving and blessing the Jewish people (Genesis 12:1-3). I did my part when I was in Israel. Also, let me remind you all that the ties between the Jews and Christians are truly biblical!
I encourage you all to pray to the Lord God in support of Israel, to love and bless the Jewish people, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) announced that it has released almost P220 million in revenue shares to the City Government of Olongapo and seven other local government units (LGUs).
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the SBMA’s official announcement. Some parts in boldface…
The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) released a total of PHP 218,115,671.26 in revenue shares to eight local government units (LGUs) contiguous to this premier freeport zone.
SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said that this amount released on Tuesday, July 21, 2026,represents the revenue shares for the first semester of 2026, which is 10.24 percent higher than that of last year’s comparative period.
The recipient LGUs areOlongapo City,the municipalities of Subic, San Marcelino, Castillejos, and San Antonio in Zambales, and the towns of Dinalupihan, Hermosa, and Morong in Bataan.
Taking into account the population and land area,Olongapo was allocated the largest amount of PHP 50,420,165.72, received by Olongapo City Mayor Atty. Rolen Paulino, Jr. This was followed by Subic, Zambales, which received PHP 32,871,521.46, accepted on behalf of Mayor Jonathan John Khonghun.
The remaining LGUs received their allocations as follows: Dinalupihan, Bataan, with PHP 27,438,313.68, accepted on behalf of Mayor German Santos, Jr.; San Marcelino, Zambales, with PHP 26,272,445.97, received by Mayor Elvis Soria; Hermosa, Bataan, with PHP 23,422,520.27, accepted on behalf of Mayor Atty. Anne Adorable-Inton; Castillejos, Zambales, with PHP 19,817,470.23, received on behalf of Mayor Jeffrey Khonghun; Morong, Bataan, with PHP 19,340,287.10, received on behalf of Mayor Leila Linao-Muñoz; and San Antonio, Zambales, with PHP 18,532,946.83, received by Mayor Dr. Arvin Antipolo.
TheLGU shares are sourced from five percent corporate taxes paid by business locators in the Subic Bay Freeport. They aredistributed among LGUs based on population (50%), land area (25%), and equal sharing (25%).
OIC-Deputy Administrator for Finance Editha Marzal, along with the finance team, led the distribution of the LGU shares.
Marzal noted that the net shares distributed to the LGUs include not only the current collection period’s allocations but also the 10 percent retention withheld during the first semester of the 2024 distribution.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you see the increased amount of revenue shares as a sign of better economic activities and finances within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone? Do you think the revenue shares would be higher once the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) and Pax Silica activities finally start economic activities in the near future?
In Phuket Island in Thailand, the local authorities recently raided three properties – two of which were originally developed for residential purposes – that illegally operated as hotels catering to foreign tourists, according to a news report by VnExpress. This is only a part of the ongoing crackdown against illegal hotels and already something wrong have been uncovered.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…
Thailand has intensified its crackdown on illegal hotels on its largest island Phuket after inspections found three properties operating without licenses.
Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee recently led a joint inspection in Phuket targeting three hotels with about 200, 240, and 45 rooms. Authorities found thatnone had valid construction permits or hotel operating licenses, according to Bangkok Post.
Investigators saidtwo of the properties had originally been approved as residential buildings or condominiums but were later converted into hotels without authorization.
Officials also carried out online booking tests, confirmingthe hotels were primarily marketing rooms to European and other foreign tourists, with virtually no Thai customers.
Theinvestigation also uncovered suspected nominee ownership arrangements involving companies with 49% foreign and 51% Thai shareholding. Some properties werelegally owned by Thai nationals but leased to Chinese investors, who allegedly operated hotels without the required licenses.
The inspections were part of a broader operation covering more than 10 locations across Phuket. Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat has been instructed to order businesses to shut down immediately if operators fail to provide the required documentation.
Narucha Kosasivilize, director-general of the Department of Provincial Administration, said operating a hotel without a license violated the law and caused widespread harm, according to The Nation.
He said the problem hadthree major consequences: it hurt the economy by placing legally compliant, tax-paying operators at a disadvantage; it posed safety risks because illegal accommodations often failed to meet government safety standards, putting tourists’ lives and property at risk; and it tarnished Thailand’s imagewhile undermining long-term confidence in the country’s tourism sector.
The Department of Provincial Administration is working with the Royal Thai Police, the Ministry of Commerce, the Department of Special Investigation, and other agencies to expand investigations into foreign business networks across the country.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the authorities in Thailand will be able to find and raid all existing illegal hotels?
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco
Author Carlo Carrasco 