Tourism could go down this year

SPYBITS By Babe G. Romualdez (The Philippine Star)
Updated May 11, 2017 – 12:00am
http://www.philstar.com/business/2017/05/11/1698677/tourism-could-go-down-year

The United Kingdom and Canada have since issued their own advisories, with Canada also warning against travel to the Sulu archipelago. “Boaters in waters around Mindanao and in the Sulu Sea, as well as visitors to Southern Palawan Island, southern Negros Island or Siquijor Island, may also face an elevated threat of kidnapping,” the Canadian advisory went.

These travel advisories could certainly hamper efforts to attract more tourists and investors to the Philippines. According to the Credit Suisse Group, the recent warnings could affect the tourism industry’s contribution to the country’s economic growth. Much earlier, the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Economic Impact 2017 report cited the direct contribution of the tourism sector to the country’s GDP in 2016 which is estimated at 8.2 percent or P1.18 billion – and that this is expected to grow even more this year.

Much earlier, the incursion of Abu Sayyaf terrorists in Inabanga, Bohol already prompted the issuance of travel advisories not only from the US, UK and Canada but also South Korea, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Europe — all of them big sources of visitors to this country.

Not surprisingly, tourism industry players have expressed alarm because bookings from tour groups continue to get cancelled due to safety concerns, especially since the kidnappings and beheadings of foreigners by the Abu Sayyaf terrorists were carried by international news networks. The clash between terrorists and the Philippine military in Inabanga certainly dented the perception of Bohol as a tourism haven. And now — Palawan.

All of these are causing apprehension that terrorist activities are starting to expand towards Visayas, Luzon, and before you know it — Metro Manila. The twin blasts in Quiapo have certainly unnerved many people, and while the AFP has dismissed the twin blasts in Quiapo as mere “propaganda,” authorities should show that they are on top of the situation. The information we received from friends in the foreign intelligence community indicate that the situation is very serious and that things could get worse unless the government focuses its attention on combatting terrorist activities.

Although the war against illegal drugs is a major concern, the government should also make the war against terrorism a core focus of its efforts because this terrorist menace could not only affect the economy – even worse, it could destroy the country.

While we support many advocacies of Gina Lopez and admire her efforts in fighting air pollution – it is unfortunate that her zeal and passion in protecting and preserving the environment has made her stint as Environment Secretary rather problematic, with perceptions that she allowed her passion to overcome the need to observe due process, maintain fairness and balance her role as industry regulator. Hopefully, Gina can continue her advocacies and perhaps even become a private watchdog exposing the ills in the industry, which she can do with help from her family’s network.

Taking the place of Gina as the new DENR chief is former Armed Forces Chief of Staff and Special Envoy to the Middle East Roy Cimatu, a graduate of the PMA Class of 1970. I know Roy Cimatu to be a capable and compassionate man who was also well liked by his soldiers especially when he was chief of the Southern Command (which has since been divided into the Western and Eastern Mindanao Commands).

People close to the president say they were not really surprised with the appointment of Cimatu — a native of Bangui, Ilocos Norte — because the two men have been friends for quite some time. In fact, the two share the same “common touch” especially when it comes to wounded soldiers – with many remembering that photo of Cimatu comforting a weeping army sergeant who was in the hospital following the conduct of several military operations to free Martin and Gracia Burnham from their terrorist kidnappers.

Known as both the “smiling general” and the “thinking general” (a moniker given by then-president Gloria Arroyo who appointed Cimatu as AFP chief in 2002), the new DENR secretary strikes many as the kind of person who can balance the need to maximize the potential of the mining industry to contribute to the country’s economy while ensuring environmental preservation.

Following Cimatu’s appointment, shares in mining registered an upsurge, making industry players very optimistic especially with the former general’s pronouncement that he is open to “responsible mining” as long as it is properly handled and will not destroy the environment. Employees and officials of the DENR including Undersecretary and Mines and Geosciences Bureau chief Louie Jacinto also expressed confidence that Cimatu would be able to parlay his experience as a former military man, saying they expect Cimatu’s programs to be clear and well thought-out.

The new chief, for his part, expressed admiration for Gina Lopez’s passion and love for the environment, saying he wants to meet her. The former general said he would also like to get her thoughts and insights on protecting the environment so that he could do his job well and uphold what is in the best interest of the people.