Photo Credit: supertravelme.com

Duty Free Philippines Corp. signed a partnership with Donggwang Clark Corp., the Philippine subsidiary of Sun Valley Group of South Korea, to open a Duty Free outlet at Hilton Sun Valley Resort inside the Clark Freeport Zone.

The agreement will launch the construction of a 370-square-meter outlet operated by DFP and designed and constructed by DCC.

The outlet which is expected to open in the first quarter of 2020 will be the second DFP store in Pampanga province in addition to a branch at Clark International Airport.

“This partnership is part of our ongoing efforts to accelerate DFP’s presence in major tourism and economic destinations to tap the increasing number of foreign tourists and expatriates in the country,” said Duty Free Philippines chief operating officer Vicente Pelagio Angala.

“We strategically chose the location at an integrated tourism estate that includes condo units and commercial spaces,” said Angala.

The said outlet will highlight Filipino export-quality products through Go Lokal! kiosk and regular tax-exempt items such as perfumes and cosmetics, health and beauty, fashion, confectioneries, liquor, and tobacco.

Angala said they would work on partnerships with the organizers of international events hosted in Clark.

DCC committed to supporting the business operations of DFP through advertising and marketing efforts and gift certificates as giveaways to their hotel and casino guests.

Clark Freeport Zone is becoming the next economic haven of Luzon with unprecedented gains in investments, revenues, employment and other significant achievements.

Clark Development Corp. said locator-firms in Clark Freeport Zone reached 949, most of them in the information communication technology, service and developers’ industries. Employment in the Freeport exceeded 108,000 jobs.

Passenger traffic at Clark International Airport in 2018 hit the 2.5-million mark supported by 390 domestic and 184 international flights weekly.

Source: manilastandard.net

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Taiwan Economic Cultural Office (TECO) is batting for the Philippines to become a destination for Taiwanese investors whose favorite relocation sites in southeast Asia are mainly Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia.

Alfred Y.H. Wang, TECO Economic Counselor, told reporters during a press conference for the “Meet Taiwan,” networking event that aims to promote Taiwan as hub for Meetings, Incentive, Travel, Conferences, Exhibitions (MICE) industry, that many Taiwanese investors who have been in China for the past 20 years are moving out of mainland China because the Chinese government is “not so friendly to foreign investors” and are relocating to some areas in ASEAN.

“These Taiwanese firms are coming to ASEAN countries like Thailand and Indonesia but their favorite is Vietnam,” Tseng said.

“We tried to make it the Philippines for Taiwanese investors.”

Taiwanese investments to the Philippines last year went down 61 percent to P4 billion from P10 billion in 2017.

Tseng expressed hopes that once the free-visa program is extended, more Taiwanese firms would consider the Philippines as a good relocation site.

The free-visa program will expire on July 31 this year. Taiwan authorities are expected to make an announcement soon if it will be extended or not.

This program, which also includes Thailand and Brunei, has boosted travel by Filipinos. Last year, there were more than 410,000 Filipino travelers to Taiwan. TECO is hoping to exceed that record number, targeting 500,000 travelers this year.

Another favorable factor that may entice Taiwanese to consider the Philippine is the new Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulation which now allows the registration of One Person Corporation, a corporation with a single stockholder.

Tseng cited this new SEC rules for relaxing the 60-40 foreign equity ownership rules for foreign investors in the country.

These factors should help boost the chance of Philippines to become a choice for Taiwanese companies.

“In my economic division at TECO, we try to help Taiwanese firms find the land and local partners,” he said adding that they facilitate Taiwanese firms with the help of investment promotion agencies such as the Board of Investments, Philippine Economic Zone Authority, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, and the SEC.

According to Tseng, some of the Taiwanese investors are engaged in manufacturing operations are mainly located in the industrial zones in Batangas, Cavite and Carmona. Some are also looking at Clark and Subic.

Tseng further noted that many small Taiwanese firms are already considering the Philippines. “They maybe small but they are many, which I think is better than having one big investor,” he said.

Source: business.mb.com.ph

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Subic Bay has since evolved from a naval base into a favorite leisure and sports destination. But despite its popularity, the Freeport continues to repackage itself.

Anchored on its slogan, “It’s More Fun-tastic in Subic,” it has successfully reinvented itself into a duty-free center, a theme park, a convention place, a food trip destination, a sports hub, and a tourism zone, to name a few.

Subic International Golf Club

Adding excitement, especially to golfers, is the recent opening of the long-dormant greens which have been resurrected as the world-class Subic International Golf Club.

The Desmond Muirhead-designed 18-hole, par 72 golf course, measures over 7,100 yards and blends with the natural environment for perfect swings and Instagram-worthy shots. The club also boasts a bevy of charming caddies, who are conversant on various topics other than golf, thus spicing up the game.

Guests are treated like royalty with its delectable international dishes, Filipino favorites, desserts, and drinks at its classy clubhouse restaurant. Admittedly pricier than its counterparts in Central Luzon, the club takes pride in its first-rate amenities and the consummate golfing lifestyle it offers.

Subic is also reclaiming its old claim to fame—that of being a major naval and maritime hub since the 1800s when the galleons and merchant ships sought shelter in its tranquil coves.

This rich maritime history is chronicled at Vasco’s Maritime Museum which has a remarkable compendium of ancient Chinese jars, Spanish cannons, and other relics from sunken ships put together by Australian scuba diver Brian Homan, one of the Freeport’s pioneer locators.

The rich maritime history of Subic is chronicled at Vasco’s Maritime Museum.

This maritime tradition is also kept alive by Subic Sailing Club based at the Lighthouse Marina Resort, which organizes regattas to promote tourism and enhance “yachtsmanship” for international competitions and foster camaraderie among its gentlemen sailors.

Early this year, the group spearheaded the Subic Bay Around Verde Island Passage Race, which is part of the prestigious Asian Yachting Grand Prix Circuit, and the Chairman’s Cup Regatta, which saw the biggest assembly of sailboats in Philippine waters.

A reboot of the Commodore’s Cup, the sailfest was highlighted by the FarEast 28R One-Design Race, and keelboat divisions of IRC Class 1, IRC Class 2, and Cruising Class. Adding color was the Dinghy Division composed of Optimist, Streaker, and Oz Gooze classes for greenhorns and young sailors, as well as categories for stand-up paddleboards and kayaks to entice more Filipinos to get into water sports.

According to SSC executive director and Philippine Sailing Association vice president Zed Avecilla, the sailing events aim to breed the next generation of sailors who will bring honor to the country in international tournaments.

Subic Bay will host the sailing events in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Subic Bay hosted the recent Chairman’s Cup Regatta, which saw the biggest assembly of sailboats in Philippine waters.

Avecilla said that outside the competitive sport, sailing is a unique means for family bonding and a fun way of discovering our maritime roots. He noted that sailing and other related activities are also geared at positioning Subic as the country’s premier yachting destination and sailing haven.

But apart from swinging and sailing, many tourists are content in splurging on the cozy boutique accommodations that offer a blend of countryside allure and modern living.

A noteworthy hotel in Subic is Camayan Beach Resort which is designed for nature lovers who like to escape city life but still have fun things to do—such as water and beach recreation, scuba diving, trail hiking, all surrounded by a gorgeous rainforest and blue waters.

Its affiliate, Camayan Divers, a 5-star PADI center, offers guests the thrill of exploring the bay’s wrecks and reefs, and interacting with dolphins, sharks, sea turtles, and jackfish.

Meanwhile, foodies can check out the wide array of homegrown restaurants such as Rotunda Bar and Grill at Moonbay Marina Resort which is noted for its grilled and tender Bulalo Steak, and Coco Lime Specialty Asian Cuisine, a restaurant which attracts families and Freeport workers.

Rotunda Bar and Grill’s famous Bulalo Steak

Other noteworthy casual dining haunts are 1925 Gastropub known for its western food and spirits, Dayrit’s Kitchen at All Hands Beach for its Pansit Bataan, and Magic Lagoon Bar for its Pinoy comfort food and cozy lakeview.

Source: manilastandard.net

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A ONE-HECTARE lot adjacent to the New Clark City (Sports City) would be developed into a Christmas village, an added attraction for local and foreign tourists who will see action during the 20-day South East Asian Games.

“We’re going to build a Christmas village where we can showcase our ‘Belenismo’ winners, lanterns made by locals and other attractions during night time. So that yung mga athletes na manggagaling sa iba’t ibang lugar ay mayroong makikita sa gabi. Sports sa araw, sa gabi naman ay Christmas village,” said Capas, Tarlac Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan.

Belenismo is a yearly pre-Christmas competition of different local government units and other government agencies in Tarlac, where participants make a life-size “Belen” displayed in strategic locations of each town.

Catacutan said Capas town is ready in terms of road networks and other businesses vital for the opening of the much-awaited event on December 1.

He said the local government unit is ready to accept the sports facility once it will be turned over by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) on October 15.

“Capas is very much ready in hosting the SEA Games. All roads leading to the New Clark City, also known as the Sports City of the Philippines, have been improved and widened in preparation for the big event,” said Catacutan, while giving emphasis on the local government unit’s preparation for traffic conditions during the opening day on December 1.

He said the Capas town exit toll gate of the Subic-Clark Tarlac Expressway is being rushed to beat the December 1 opening of the SEA Games.

He said structures being built at the NCC that are near completion are the stadium, aquatic center, government administration building, athletes’ dormitory and other vital infrastructures including theme park.

Preparing for the influx of visitors, Catacutan said he already met with various sectors, including businesses and law enforcement to ensure the safety of guests and supervise the smooth flow of vehicles coming in and out of the NCC.

“Aside from athletes from different countries in Southeast Asia, visitors from Central and Northern Luzon will surely visit Capas to witness the SEA Games opening and other attractions in Tarlac,” Catacutan said.

Commercial centers will be opening inside the NCC compound complete with coffee shops, burger chains, other restaurants and souvenir shops that will cater not only athletes but also for other people coming here to watch the sports competition, said Catacutan.

The Provincial Government of Tarlac, through the Department of Trade and Industry, will also open a “One Town One Product” stall where visitors can find the best produce of Tarlac, he added.

He said the governor is inviting Pampanga entrepreneurs to open their stalls where they can showcase their top quality products.

“DTI will also open pasalubong centers offering novelty items and best foods for visitors,” Catcutan said. (Chris Navarro)

Source: sunstar.com.ph

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Photo Credit: primer.com.ph

Tropical cyclones with an impact similar to that of 2009’s Tropical Storm Ondoy may be expected this rainy season due to the effects of the El Niño phenomenon, a PAGASA meteorologist said on Tuesday.

In a report by Mariz Umali in GMA’s 24 Oras, the state weather bureau said that sweltering temperatures over the Pacific made the generation of Ondoy-like storms possible.

“Napakainit ng Pasipiko, malakas ang evaporation, malakas ang condensation at maraming kaulapan ang nagagawa nitong El Niño so nagiging mas malalakas ang mga bagyo,” explained Dr. Landrico Dalida Jr., PAGASA Deputy Administrator for Operations and Services.

“Kung sakaling ito ay tumama sa Pilipinas ay magiging devastating katulad ng nangyari nga sa sinabi nating Ondoy na kung saan meron din tayong El Niño noon.”

Meteorologists projected that the El Niño phenomenon would likely prevail until August.

A six-hour long downpour due to Tropical Storm Ondoy caused heavy flooding in Metro Manila in 2009. The volume of rain in those six hours was equivalent to a month’s amount of rainfall, according to PAGASA.

Aside from Metro Manila, 23 provinces were placed under a state of calamity due to the damage caused by Ondoy’s onslaught.

Authorities thus advised the public to take necessary precautions and to heed advisories during times of disaster. — Dona Magsino/DVM, GMA News

Source: msn.com

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