Southeast Asia – Page 98 – Author Carlo Carrasco

Filinvest Malls and COMELEC sign MOA enhancing voter accessibility, Festival Mall to have official registration site

February 10, 2024February 7, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed by officials of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and Filinvest Malls inside Festival Mall in Filinvest City which should enhance voter accessibility through the local implementation of the Register Anywhere Program (RAP), according to a social media post by Festival Mall dated February 7, 2024.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the social media post of Festival Mall. Some parts in boldface…

In a move to enhance voter accessibility, Filinvest Malls becomes the first mall chain to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), launching the Register Anywhere Program (RAP) during a contract signing ceremony at Festival Mall on February 7, 2024. Tristan Las Marias, President & CEO of Filinvest Land, Inc., and COMELEC Chairman George Erwin Garcia, solidified their commitment to RAP during the ceremony.

Operational from February 12 to September 30, 2024, RAP will establish registration sites in key Filinvest Mall locations, including Festival Mall (Alabang), Main Square (Bacoor), Fora Mall (Tagaytay), and IL Corso (Cebu). This initiative seeks to enhance the efficiency of the voter registration process, prioritizing accessibility and community involvement. These locations have been strategically selected to ensure easy access for diverse communities.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City who happens to need voter-related registration soon, would you avail of the RAP service at Festival Mall? Do you think the agreement between Filinvest Malls and COMELEC will make a huge impact with current voters as well as aspiring voters?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Philippines wins big at the 2024 ASEAN Tourism Awards thanks to three cities and many stakeholders

February 10, 2024February 3, 2024carlocarrasco

In the 2024 edition of the ASEAN Tourism Awards held recently in Laos, the Philippines won big as three cities and more than twenty stakeholders won honors, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news report. Some parts in boldface…

Three cities and 21 tourism stakeholders from the Philippines have been recognized during the 2024 ASEAN Tourism Standard Awards in Vientiane, Laos.

The awarding ceremony was one of the activities in the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024 which ran from Jan. 22 to 27, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said in a news release on Wednesday.

The cities of Baguio in Benguet, Ilagan in Isabela, and Tabuk in Kalinga were awarded as the ASEAN Clean Tourist City, the Department of Tourism

According to ASEAN Tourism Standards, these are the areas where the flow of visitors and where cultural, natural and/or man-made attractions exist.

Prime Properties Pearl Farm Beach Resort, Club Paradise Palawan, Bohol Beach Club, Seda Nuvali, and The Forest Lodge at Camp John Hay won the ASEAN Green Hotel Award.

This citation is given to hotel industry players whose operations are based on the achievement of sustainable tourism through environment-friendly principles, human resource development, resource consumption reduction, and local community involvement.

About 15 Philippine venues were given the ASEAN Meeting, Incentive, Convention, Exhibition (MICE) Venue Awards granted to physical spaces with quality facilities and impressive services, designed and provided for MICE activities with purposes for meetings, exhibitions, and events.

The major criteria for the awards encompass the standards of physical aspects, venue management, and people working within venues that competitively meet the requirements of MICE travelers. It is divided into three categories: room, exhibition venue, and event venue category.

Properties Bai Hotel Cebu, Clark Marriott Hotel, Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort, Princesa Garden Island Resort & Spa, Seda Hotel Nuvali won the meeting room category; World Trade Center Metro Manila (Manila Exposition Complex), SMX Convention Center Manila, Cordillera Convention Hall by Baguio Country Club, Isabela Convention Center (ICON), and Iloilo Convention Center won the exhibition hall category; and Palacio del Sur by Marcian Group, Jpark Island Resort & Waterpark Cebu, Infinity Garden by Baguio Country Club, CAP-John Hay Trade and Cultural Center, Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa by Modern Asia, Inc. were named as the winners for the event venue category.

Meantime, Palawan-based property Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort was named as a lead partner for “Enchanting Gastronomical Sabang Delights, Beach Forest and Caves” under the ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Awards.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said the winners made not only significant revenue contributions but also employed millions of Filipinos.

“These achievements reflect not only the excellence and dedication that you have put in with the development of tourism but also contribute significantly to the overall advancement and sustainability of the ASEAN tourism industry,” she said.

A total of 192 ASEAN Tourism Standards Awards were given to the member countries.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are you delighted with the many awards the Philippines won at the ASEAN Tourism Awards? If you are running a local business that benefits from the inflow of tourists, does this development encourage you to move your business deeper into the tourism industry? Do you consider the Philippines more competitive with its Southeast Asian neighbors when it comes to tourism?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Local analysts say Philippine tourism’s recovery is still lacking

February 10, 2024February 4, 2024carlocarrasco

As far as the chief economists of the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) and China Banking Corp. are concerned, the recovery of Philippine tourism is still lacking and a lot more needs to be done which includes relying on tourists from China, according to a BusinessWorld news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the BusinessWorld news report. Some parts in boldface…

THE RECOVERY of the tourism market lags the rest of the region due to infrastructure constraints and the slow rebound of visitor arrivals from China, analysts said.

Michael L. Ricafort, chief economist of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said the Philippines’ tourism performance was lagging even before the pandemic.

“There has been a lot of catching up since the pandemic and also even before the pandemic with other ASEAN or Asian neighboring countries,” Mr. Ricafort said in a Viber message.

“This is largely due to infrastructure constraints that limit the capacity of airports and accommodation and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, & exhibitions) facilities to cater to a much larger number of foreign tourists,” he added.

In 2023, the Philippines logged 5.4 million international visitors which is only 65% of the 8.24 million foreign arrivals seen in 2019, but at par with the 65% average within Asia and the Pacific.

Mr. Ricafort said upgrades are needed to airports, particularly the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), which will share future traffic to and from the capital with the Bulacan and Sangley airports.

“There is a need as well as for integrated tour packages that will be cheaper and more convenient to attract more foreign tourists,” he said.

“There is also a need for more mass transport systems such as railways that are integrated into major airports to make it more convenient for local and foreign tourists to travel,” he added.

China Banking Corp. Chief Economist Domini S. Velasquez said slow growth can be attributed to geographical constraints and absence of Chinese tourists.

“The Philippines lags behind its other ASEAN neighbors in terms of tourist arrivals, which can be attributed partly to geographical constraints, as the country cannot be accessed by land,” Ms. Velasquez said in a Viber message.

“However, another factor contributing to the below-target numbers, especially during the pandemic, is the absence of Chinese tourists,” she added.

Before the pandemic, China was the country’s second top source of international arrivals after South Korea. However, China only ranked fifth last year.

South Korea remained the top source of international visitors accounting for 26.41%, followed by the US (16.57%), Japan (5.61%), Australia (4.89%), and China (4.84 %).

“The sluggish growth and high unemployment in China have hindered the phenomenon known as “revenge travel,” wherein Chinese tourists typically exhibit strong travel demand. As a result, the expected influx of Chinese tourists has been limited,” Ms. Velasquez said.

Mr. Ricafort said the Philippines has strong potential in further growing the tourism economy with much room to improve in many elements of the product offering.

“The tourism business is low-hanging fruit that can generate more business, employment, and other economic activities as a major source of growth or a bright spot for the economy,” he said.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you agree with the analysts’ findings as to why Philippine tourism is still lacking and what should be done to improve it? Do you think the Department of Tourism (DOT) should focus more on attracting tourists from other nations instead of depending so much on China? What do you think are the five biggest problems of Philippine tourism right now? Do you think the DOT should be more active in promoting local film festivals, fashion shows, sports events and food tours to foreigners?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Chinese nationals arrested by immigration officials for visa violations

February 9, 2024February 9, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the province, agents of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested three Chinese nationals for visa-related violations, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Friday reported the recent arrest of three foreigners in Ligao City, Albay for visa violations.

In a statement, BI intelligence division chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. said the case originated from the information from the Bureau’s Legazpi District Office against Chinese nationals Li Xiaodong, Shi Jiazhu, and Shi Yushuang, who were arrested last Jan. 24 for violating the limitations and conditions of their visas.

Verification of their records revealed that the foreigners, who initially underwent biometrics scanning for health reasons, were actually employed in different Metro Manila companies, which is clear violation of their visa limitations.

The foreigners were found by the intelligence agents to be working at a hardware and merchandise companies despite their visas.

“Our intelligence efforts, combined with effective operations, ensure that visa violators are identified and apprehended promptly. This operation underscores the importance of strict adherence to visa conditions,” Manahan said.

The three were transported to the BI Main Office in Intramuros in Manila for proper booking procedures, medical examinations, and legal disposition.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are you concerned that there could be even more Chinese nationals here in the Philippines engaging in illegal activities? Are happy that immigration officials arrested the foreigners for violating their visa limitations and conditions?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Bureau of Immigration (BI) launches campaign against foreign sexual predators

February 8, 2024February 2, 2024carlocarrasco

Having rejected several foreigners (who were registered sex offenders or RFOs) from entering the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) recently launched a new campaign against sexual predators from overseas, according to a Journal Online news report. There is simply no stopping with their duty to protect the nation from undesirable foreigners.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Journal Online news report. Some parts in boldface…

NOTING the recent increase in attempts of aliens who are registered sex offenders (RSOs) to enter the country, Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco launched a campaign against sexual predators.

Seeing the need for a more focused approach against child exploitation, Tansingco said that in 2023 alone, the BI excluded 171 foreign nationals who were previously convicted of sex crimes or are wanted for such cases.

He said that the BI also apprehended multiple pedophiles in Philippine soil, among them French national Theddy Douglas Tissier who was apprehended in Makati just last December and the successful capture of octogenarian pedophile David John Buckley in Cebu last November.

“The threat against our children is real and is here. With the reopening of the country’s borders post-pandemic comes the rise of attempts of sexual predators to enter the country. We must protect those who rely on us for their safety,” the BI chief said.

Tansingco also encouraged citizens to immediately report to the BI sexual predators that might be in their communities, adding tehat “by protecting our children, we defend our future. Let us all do our share in protecting the most vulnerable from these undesirable aliens.”

In a ceremony held at the GSIS Theater in Pasay City, the BI led the launching of the Project #ShieldKids Campaign, which is a three-tier effort of the agency to combat the rise of sexual predators. Joining Tansingco in the said event were Deputy Commissioners Joel Anthony Viado and Daniel Laogan.

Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) Head Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty served as the event’s guest speaker. Also in attendance was Undersecretary Angelo M. Tapales of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Project #Shieldkids endeavors to harmonize government efforts against sex offenders in the country by institutionalizing a network of communication amongst government agencies involved in investigating and arresting pedophiles and traffickers.

The project also solidifies the BI’s drive against sexual predators by prioritizing cases against foreign nationals that might be involved in sex trafficking of children.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the BI should do more to not only prevent undesirable foreigners from entering the country but also apprehending and deporting the foreign sexual predators who are already in the country?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Over 10,000 public elementary school students receive scholarship allowance in Muntinlupa City

February 7, 2024January 31, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, over ten thousand students enrolled in public elementary schools received their scholarship allowance from the City Government, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

A total of 10,273 students from public elementary schools received their scholarship allowance from the Muntinlupa City government.

The Muntinlupa Scholarship Division (MSD) of the city government distributed the first tranche of educational assistance amounting P2,500 to each student in seven public elementary schools in the city.

Under the first tranche of the educational assistance program, elementary pupils will get P2,500 each, junior high school students will receive P3,000 each, senior high school students will get P3,500 each, and students under the Alternative Learning System (ALS) Program will receive P3,000 each covering six months.

According to the MSD, of the 10,273 students, the following received their educational assistance to date: Itaas Elementary School – 1,940 pupils; Sucat Elementary Zone 3, 402; Sucat Elementary School Zone 4 – 333; Muntinlupa Elementary School – 1,721; F. De Mesa Elementary School – 1,160; Buli Elementary School – 988; Putatan Elementary School – 1,960; and Tunasan Elementary School – 1,769.

The first tranche of educational assistance covers five months from August to December 2023.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, are you delighted over the release of scholarship allowance for the qualified students?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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BIR clarifies that small online sellers are exempted from 1% withholding tax

February 6, 2024January 30, 2024carlocarrasco

In response to growing concerns related to the recent implementation of the 1% withholding tax on online merchants with annual earnings of over P500,000, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) clarified that small online sellers are exempted from it, according to a BusinessWorld news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the BusinessWorld news report. Some parts in boldface…

THE BUREAU of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Monday clarified that small online sellers are exempted from the payment of the creditable withholding tax imposed on online marketplaces but would still need to register their business.

“Small-scale online sellers are exempted from withholding tax. The BIR is sympathetic to small businesses in its approach to taxing online sellers/merchants,” BIR Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui, Jr. said in a statement.

BIR Revenue Regulations No. 16-2023, which took effect on Jan. 11, imposes a withholding tax of 1% on one-half of the gross remittances by e-marketplace operators and digital financial service providers to the sellers or mer-chants for the goods and services paid or sold through their platforms or facilities.

The BIR said that the withholding tax is not imposed if the annual total gross remittances to an online seller for the past taxable year has not exceeded P500,000; if the cumulative gross remittances to an online seller in a taxable year has not yet exceeded P500,000 or if the seller is duly exempt from or subject to a lower income tax rate pursuant to any existing law or treaty.

“For those who are above the threshold of P500,000 annual gross remittance, it is only fair that they will be subjected to withholding tax. We have to be fair to the retail sector and brick and mortar stores who are regularly pay-ing their taxes,” Mr. Lumagui said.

The tax covers marketplaces for online shopping, food delivery platforms, platforms to book lodging accommodations, and other similar online service or product marketplaces.

E-marketplace operators and digital financial service providers were given a 90-day transitory period to comply with the order.

The BIR in a separate circular said all online sellers and merchants need to register with the BIR and submit documentary requirements, even if their annual gross remittance is below the P500,000 threshold.

The circular also noted that sellers and merchants are not allowed to receive payments through a personal account and instead must use a BIR-registered account.

“If you have a business, you have to register and pay your taxes. It doesn’t matter if it’s an actual store or an online store. It is your responsibility to pay taxes like everyone else,” Mr. Lumagui said.

In a press conference last week, Mr. Lumagui told reporters that the measure will help the BIR better gauge the impact of the digital economy.

“We gave the online platforms a grace period of 90 days. With that, we are still checking on which are already capable of complying… During our discussions with online platforms, they’re cooperative. With this development, we’re hoping to get the entire picture on online transactions,” he said.

In 2022, the digital economy contributed P2.08 trillion or equivalent to 9.4% of the gross domestic product.

A report by Google, Temasek Holdings and Bain & Company showed that the Philippines’ digital economy is projected to reach as high as $150 billion by 2030.

The BIR also earlier clarified that the withholding tax is not a “new” tax as it is just a measure that will allow for an advance payment of income tax.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the newest clarification made by the BIR will end the confusion or concerns regarding the 1% withholding tax? If you are aspiring to sell items online, does the 1% withholding tax discourage you?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Police officers raid home of tricycle driver in Muntinlupa City and find unlicensed firearms and ammo

February 6, 2024January 30, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, police officers armed with a search warrant issued by the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC) raided the home of a tricycle driver and found unlicensed firearms and ammunition, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The raid happened in Barangay Putatan.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

The Muntinlupa Police raided the house of a tricycle driver who yielded unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

The raid was carried out on Jan. 29 on Everlasting Circle in Barangay Putatan by members of the Muntinlupa Police’s Station Intelligence Section, Putatan Substation, Station Investigation and Detection Management Section, and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT).

The target of the raid was the house of alias Casio, 55, a tricycle driver, who is allegedly a former soldier.

Executive Judge Myra Quiambao of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court issued the search warrant on Jan. 25.

During the raid, the police seized a Sentry special CTG, .38 caliber revolver with six pieces of live ammunition, one Replica (Beretta 9mm) with magazine, one Armino .22 caliber revolver, one improvised shotgun with five pieces of live ammunition, one .23 caliber rifle with one magazine and five pieces of live ammunition, and a brown belt bag.

Casio was arrested by the police.

Southern Police District Director Brig. Gen. Mark Pespes said they are strengthening their efforts to reclaim unlicensed firearms through police operations and implementation of search warrants against owners of the illegal guns.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, does this police operation make you feel safer when traveling around the city?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Muntinlupa City Government facilitates opening of access road between two villages

February 5, 2024February 4, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, the City Government announced that an access road between two villages will be opened with the easing of traffic in mind, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

The Muntinlupa City government announced the opening of a connecting road between two villages to ease traffic and provide easy access to residents.

The opening of the access road between the government housing project Katarungan Village and South Greenheights Village will happen soon.

According to the city government, the connecting road between R. Pamatina Street in Katarungan Village and Rosemary Street in South Greenheights Village is being built with the pavement being constructed, and installation of lights and security guard post.

The homeowners associations of the two villages signed a memorandum of agreement on Dec. 18 last year to approve the opening of the access road.

“Malaking kapakinabangan kasi they don’t have to go to the National Road papunta ng Daang Hari, Alabang o papunta ng Poblacion so magiging parang declogging road para doon sa dalawang villages (This will have huge benefit because they don’t have to go to the National Road to go to Daang Hari [Road] in Alabang or [Barangay] Poblacion so it will be like a declogging road for the two villages),” said City Administrator Allan Cachuela.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, do you find this development beneficial to you when it comes to traveling locally?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Czech traveler denied entry in the Philippines due to rude behavior towards immigration officials and others

February 5, 2024February 8, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently the immigration officials revealed that citizen of the Czech Republic who arrived at the international airport in Clark, Pampanga, was denied entry as a result of bad behavior and disrespect with regards to registering with the eTravel system online, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

Being rude can get you the boot. This is just what happened to Czech tourist Jaroslav Konsel, 55, when he arrived at the Clark International Airport (CIA) in Pampanga last Jan. 3.

Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco said immigration officers denied the Czech tourist’s entry into the country for uttering expletives when he was asked to register with the eTravel system online.

“Reports that he taunted and mocked the immigration officers who were politely explaining to him the eTravel requirement is enough ground for him to be excluded and banned from entering the country,” Tansingco said.

He pointed out that Konsel showed disrespect to the country’s laws and persons of authority in refusing to comply with the requirement to fill out the eTravel.

“Registration in the eTravel system is mandatory for all international passengers as it is an electronic travel declaration system which receives and stores information and data about all passengers who enter and exit the country,” the BI said.

Citing reports from BI officials at the CIA, the bureau said that airline and immigration employees attempted to assist Konsel in filling out the form but he angrily rejected.

“BI-CIA officials reported that Konsel immediately became rude and started mouthing foul language when he was told by the BI officer to first fill out the e-travel form online,” it said.

“He allegedly continued to behave in an outraged manner even as he was filling out the eTravel form and even refused to listen or follow instructions from people who were assisting him in the eTravel counter,” it also said.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the immigration officers did the right thing by denying the Czech visitor entry into the country in response to his rude behavior? Do you think the reported incident could cause a new diplomatic problem between the Philippines and the Czech Republic?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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