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‘Basaan’ still prohibited during San Juan’s Feast of St. John

By Lade Jean Kabagani  

FEAST OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST. A woman takes a video during the motorcade of San Juan City's patron saint, St. John the Baptist, along A. Luna Street in San Juan City on June 24, 2020. This year's traditional splashing of water along the city streets is prohibited by the local government due to the Covid-19 pandemic. (PNA file photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA – The San Juan city government is allowing its residents to celebrate the Feast of St. John the Baptist on June 24, provided that strict compliance with the health and safety protocols must be observed, Mayor Francis Zamora said on Wednesday.

In an interview, Zamora said the local police authorities and barangay officials will monitor the feast celebration within the villages to make sure that residents will still follow the minimum health standards.

He said the city's local ordinances such as limiting the mass gathering and drinking of alcoholic beverages in public places will not be lifted during the feast celebration.

Zamora has earlier issued Executive Order No. FMZ-084, stating guidelines on allowable activities during the feast.

During the observances of the feast on Thursday, residents are prohibited to do the traditional “basaan” or "water dousing practices" to avoid the Covid-19 transmission.

A family celebration of the feast is considered but limited to 10 people only, to prevent violation of physical distancing protocol.

Drinking liquor is only allowed inside residences.

"The public is also enjoined to observe the feast day by praying and viewing the procession of St. John the Baptist from inside their homes," Zamora said.

Religious activities in churches are limited to only 50 percent seating capacity.

"The prescribed minimum public health standards such as wearing of face masks and shields and social distancing must likewise be strictly observed," he said.

Zamora said this year's feast is themed “Basbasan sa Makabagong San Juan.”

The city government will, likewise, hold a solemn celebration of the feast through a blessing ceremony for the image of 'St. John the Baptist' to be initiated by the parish priest of St. John the Baptist Church at the Pinaglabanan Church in San Juan.

It will be followed by a simple float parade in selected routes in San Juan villages.

“There’s no way we can let the occasion pass without revering and honoring our patron saint despite the pandemic, although a little less colorful and lively as we have to suspend temporarily our traditional 'basaan' and street dancing, the essence of St. John’s inspiration to the San Juaneños remains with us,” Zamora said, assuring that the ceremony will strictly adhere to health and safety protocols against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Zamora said the simple celebration will serve as the city's gratefulness for surviving amid the pandemic.

“This year’s celebration is also our way of thanksgiving for the city’s steady downward trend in Covid-19 cases and for all the San Juaneños who have been part of the efforts in our fight against Covid-19”, he said.

As of Tuesday, San Juan has recorded 72 active cases, bringing the city's total confirmed cases to 9,198.

Zamora also announced that four out of 21 barangays in San Juan are now Covid-19 free.

Among the villages that have recorded zero active cases are Barangays Isabelita, St. Joseph, Pasadena, and Maytunas.

Zamora reminded his constituents not to be complacent amid the gradual decrease of active cases in the city.

San Juan has already inoculated about 66 percent of its 56,296 target population for vaccination.

"Our August timeline is very achievable," Zamora said.

The city government plans to add more vaccination sites to increase its vaccination capacity. (PNA)

 

DOT unveils Ilocos Region tourism recovery plan

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat watches a live weaving demo during her inspection of the Bolinao Sungayan Grill River Restaurant on June 21. (DOT photo)

MANILA – Bicycle tours, motorbiking and other outdoor activities are part of the Department of Tourism's recovery plan to spur local tourism in the Ilocos Region, Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat said Tuesday.

During her three-day visit to Pangasinan, Puyat said the shift in local tourism preferences, as shown in the DOT’s latest domestic travel survey, tourists are now looking to incorporate outdoor activities like hiking and biking in their leisure travel.

In response to the changing traveler preferences, the DOT has its eyes on developing new biking and motorbiking trails in Region 1 such as the Find the One Bike Tour and Motorismo, with trails coursing through the provinces of Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.

“Region 1 holds so much potential to appeal to tourists under the new normal, given its abundance in nature sites. That is why we are very excited to launch the tourism recovery plan that will introduce new and exciting activities that will provide additional opportunities for the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the region. I encourage our kababayans to please travel and support local while observing the necessary health and safety protocols," Puyat said.

The department's regional office has accredited 61 Level 1 Surf Instructors through the Academy of Surf Instructors Philippines (ASI) which will uplift the standards of surfing lessons in the region’s popular surf spots.

Other tourism recovery initiatives of the DOT in Region 1 include the Marian Pilgrimage Tour; specialized training for Inabel textile weavers in Ilocos Sur; the Eastern, Western and Central Pangasinan Tourism Circuit; Bird Watching Tourism Circuit in Ilocos Norte; and the development of eco/nature trails in La Union.

Puyat also highlighted the Tara Na! app, a travel request and contact tracing system funded by the Tourism Promotions Board.

Puyat said this is a collaborative effort between the LGUs and the DOT to unify the region's border controls and to serve as a green lane for tourists coming into the region.

She also unveiled plans to restore and transform the historical Casa Real in Pangasinan -- into the province’s first museum that will enable both locals and tourists to appreciate its rich history.

To fund the restoration of Casa Real, Puyat said the DOT, through the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, an attached agency of the DOT, has provided PHP50 million for the project.

Cash aid

Puyat also led a ceremonial awarding of certificates to beneficiaries of the cash assistance program of the DOT and Department of Labor and Employment in Region 1.

As of June 18, the DOT regional office successfully endorsed 2,652 cash aid applications of tourism enterprises from Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan.

"The DOT is pleased to announce that a total of 51,083 workers have so far been approved by DOLE Region 1 for a total of PHP255 million in cash assistance," Puyat said.

She added that the bulk of the cash aid allotment for Region 1 went to Pangasinan, with total assistance of PHP187.4 million benefitting 37,478 individuals. (PR)

 

Adopting sustainable tourism for the environment

Costales Nature Farm [Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism]

MANILA – In celebration of World Environment Day 2021 on June 5, the Department of Tourism (DOT) urged hotels and resorts to become DOT-accredited to receive assistance in its rapid adoption of sustainable practices.

"Reviving local economy and creating livelihood is DOT's current priority. However, the pandemic has allowed us to be more persistent in our goal to instill accountability in businesses to become more sustainable," Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat said in a press statement released Friday night.

Puyat explained that the perks of being accredited equate to getting assistance from the DOT in many aspects of running a tourism enterprise, but more specifically, access to technical tools and experts that can help an establishment make the transition to going green.

“(The) DOT will continue to focus on marketing sustainability to the public, educating them on how to be sustainable tourists while also encouraging tourists to support accredited businesses that have exemplary green practices,” she said.

 Setting the foundation

Community-based tourism program at The Sabang Mangrove River, Puerto Princesa, Palawan spearheaded by The Sabang Mangrove Paddle Boat Tour Guide Association Inc.  (Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism]Caption

The Tourism Act of 2009, the Philippines’ first and only tourism law, has long served as the top tourism body’s bible in coming up with programs that would benefit the industry.

A recent example is DOT’s 2019 Save Our Spots (SOS) campaign, which aimed to inspire the public, businesses, and communities to have a long-term view on tourism.

Another is the department’s Joint Memorandum Circular on the Rules and Regulations Governing the Conduct of Marine Wildlife Tourism Interaction in the Philippines, together with the departments of environment, agriculture, and interior.

“The DOT has been working on integrating sustainable tourism principles in its projects and policies. We have been teaching our tourists and tourism operators to do the small things we can do to preserve our tourism destinations,” Puyat said.

 The DOT also conducts community-based training for the tourism workforce, including boatmen, masseuses, and souvenir vendors, to provide them with technical skills and knowledge that will help them do their jobs better.

Food waste management seminars are also offered to accommodation and restaurant owners and culinary training that aim to reintroduce heritage or local dishes to tourists.

Adopting green practices

The number one asset of tourism is the country’s natural resources, and tourism establishments have a role in conserving these.

The DOT has revised the accreditation standards for hotels and resorts to incorporate environmental indicators in the star rating system of these types of accommodation establishments, aiming to encourage business owners to be more environment-friendly in their day-to-day operations.

 

Through technical assistance from the European Union-GRAT, the DOT developed the ANAHAW Philippine Sustainable Tourism Certification awards in 2018 for the same reason, making it the local equivalent of the Asean Green Hotel Awards.

ANAHAW looks into how accommodation establishments manage and reduce their waste, energy consumption, and water consumption.

Corporate social responsibility is also a factor, with establishments that employ locals and purchase local goods fairing higher in the rating system.

The ANAHAW certification will put an enterprise with a competitive advantage because the consciousness of travelers is already very high.

“The ANAHAW certification is one of our ways to ensure we provide excellent service for our tourists without compromising our natural resources and the community. Our tourists are more likely to support tourism operators that care for the environment,” Puyat said.

Examples of establishments that have received the ANAHAW certification are Crimson Hotel and Spa Mactan in Cebu, Nurture Wellness Village in Tagaytay, Club Balai Isabel in Batangas, and Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort in Palawan.

The Spa at Shangri-la Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu [Photos courtesy of Shangri-la Mactan Resort and Spa]

Executing the right campaigns and having compliant establishments can only work if tourists themselves recognize their role in the path to sustainable tourism, she said, noting that the main goal of sustainable tourism is for future generations to experience and enjoy the same, if not better, resources present today.

For more information on how to be a responsible traveler, visit www.philippines.travel/saveourspots or download the Travel Philippines app at app.philippines.travel or the Google Playstore. (PR)

 

Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim’s Message on the Celebration of Eid’l Fitr 1442

The Southern Traveler "travel, featured news, current events, peoples, lifestyle and tourism website...

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmahtullahi Taala Wa Barakatuh.
 
The Bangsamoro Government joins the rest of the Muslim world in celebrating Eid’l Fitr this year. As one of the two biggest feasts in the Islamic tradition, Eid’l Fitr marks the culmination of the month-long fasting during the Holy Month of Ramadhan. This blessed celebration serves as a reflection to the wonderful virtues of the said month and a time to show our love to one another and our unity as one Muslim Ummah.
 
Although there are still trials that we continue to face during this pandemic, none of which will hinder us from performing our obligations to the Almighty Allah and practicing the significant Sunnah or traditions taught by the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
 
I would like to appeal that as we observe this meaningful day, we should not be complacent and put our guards down. Covid-19 still exists and it is incumbent upon all of us to continue practicing the minimum health standards such as wearing of face masks, frequent hand washing of hands, and observing physical distance.
 
If we continue these practices and with the help of our vaccination program, we will have the chance of having a better Ramadhan next year, In shaa Allah.
 
The Holy Month of Ramadhan was an opportunity for us to achieve Taqwa. Let us pray that even as we bid farewell to this year’s Ramadhan, we carry the values it has taught us for the rest of our lives and that Allah (SWT) may accept our Ibadah, our Salah, our prayers, our fasting, our generosity through our Sadaqah and all other good deeds that come with the observance of the Holy Month of Ramadhan. Let us ask Allah’s forgiveness for our sins and that He may always extend to us His blessings and guidance in all our undertakings.
 
Let us also pray for the success of our journey in establishing a regional government that is responsive to the needs of every Bangsamoro.
 
May we have a peaceful and meaningful celebration of Eid’l Fitr, In shaa Allah.
 
Eid’l Fitr Al-Mubarak! Wassalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmahtullahi Taala Wa Barakatuh.

 

Happy Eid Mubarak

May the magic of this Eid brings lots of happiness in our life and may we celebrate it with our family and  friends  and  may it  fill our hearts with wonders.

In behalf of Sulu 1st DEO, MPW-BARMM,  officials , employees and my whole family would like to greet a HAPPY EID UL - FITR to everyone !!!..

Engr. Ajan S. Ajijul
District Engineer
Sulu 1st DEO, MPW-BARMM

Pagudpud beach listed among world's 'most beautiful'

Saud Beach in Pagudpud (Photo courtesy of Ilocos Norte Tourism Office)

MANILA – Saud Beach in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte was listed among the 25 Most Beautiful Beaches in the World by New York-based travel magazine Travel+Leisure.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Department of Tourism (DOT) hailed the beach's inclusion, which is the only destination in the Philippines to make it to the list.

"The DOT salutes the sole Philippine entry to the list, joining the ranks of other globally-recognized beaches such as the Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Hanelei Bay in Kauai, Hawaii; Cape Le Grand National Park in Western Australia and others," it said.

The inclusion of Saud Beach in the international travel site’s A-list is a first for the coastal area of Pagudpud, also dubbed as the "Boracay of the North".

The T+L boasted of “its white sand pitches gradually into the clear-as-glass water, like a real-world example of a zero-entry swimming pool.” (By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora - PNA) 

 

Int’l cruise ship terminal to rise in Albay

By Emmanuel Solis  

 

LEGAZPI CITY – Another world-class travel facility that could be considered as a mega tourism project will soon rise in this city.

To be built is a terminal that will cater to international cruise ships. Passengers will have a full view of the majestic Mayon Volcano once the ships dock at the Albay Gulf.

Construction of the project will start as soon as the national government transfers an initial amount of PHP150 million to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Bicol.

“We are just waiting for the submission of some documents by the Sunwest Construction Development Corporation and then the DPWH will issue a notice to proceed (NTP) to start the construction of the project,” DPWH-Bicol regional director Virgilio Eduarte said in an interview on Tuesday.

He said the cruise terminal project will be built along the Legazpi City boulevard that is adjacent to the newly-constructed Sawangan Park, which is now drawing hundreds of visitors every day.

Mayor Noel E. Rosal, in a separate interview said the project materialized after the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) approved the project proposal prepared by the city government.

“Because the initial construction of the tourism project had already undergone the bidding process, its construction works would now commence,” Rosal said.

TIEZA acts as the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) arm in providing support to infrastructure and facilitating investments in tourism enterprise zones across the country.

Rosal said the project includes the construction of a seaport that can accommodate a 300-meter long tourism cruise ship which is the standard size of international cruise ships.

“Upon completion of the project, Legazpi will be the second city after Tagbilaran City in Bohol to have an international passenger cruise ship terminal,” he said.

The cruise ship terminal, according to the mayor, will tremendously uplift the tourism industry in this city that could further boost tourist arrivals from different parts of the world.

The international cruise ship terminal is expected to attract more tourists because of its strategic location, as it lies between the serene Albay Gulf with a four-kilometer stretch boulevard and the panoramic, cone-shaped Mayon Volcano. (PNA)

 

Boracay, Palawan included in Condé Nast beach list

MANILA – White Beach, Boracay and El Nido, Palawan have placed second and ninth, respectively, in the Condé Nast’s Traveler's 25 Best Island Beaches in the World: 2020 Readers' Choice Awards list. 

In a new release on Wednesday, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said the inclusion of the two destinations in the prestigious travel publication’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards is "sheer recognition of their unparalleled beauty and uniquely diverse resources."

“We would like to thank the travelers who voted for our destinations. We draw inspiration from this warm reception and solid vote of confidence from our satisfied patrons. As our destinations gradually reopen with health and safety measures in place, we will continue our conservation and protection efforts of these areas,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.

“Boracay is a screensaver brought to life, with dazzling white sand, so-clear-you-can-see-your-toes water, and a lush jungle backdrop, available to anyone willing to make the journey. The island used to fly under the radar with one of the most beautiful beaches in the world – but the secret's out. Now the three-mile White Beach, with its grottos and beachside dining (and nightlife), is its busiest swath of sand,” wrote Conde Nast’s Caitlin Morton.

On El Nido, Morton gushed, “Shockingly, Palawan remains steadily under the radar, even though it continues to rank highly in our Readers' Choice Awards. El Nido alone is home to around 50 white sand beaches – it’s impossible to choose just one – all of which are set around dramatic limestone formations and have the finest and whitest sand you’ll ever see. The water is so blindingly blue it makes the Caribbean Sea look murky in comparison. And the sunsets? Well, they’ll ruin you for life. Consider yourself warned.”

Both Boracay and El Nido are open to domestic tourists coming from general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified GCQ areas with health and safety protocols, which you can find at www.philippines.travel/safetrip or download the Travel Philippines app at app.philippines.travel.

As a means to make domestic travel more affordable, the DOT, through the Tourism Promotions Board, encourages domestic tourists to avail of the 50-percent subsidized reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests.

The program, in collaboration with the University of the Philippines - Philippines General Hospital and the Philippine Children's Medical Center, brings down the test cost to PHP900 and PHP750, respectively. To apply, visit https://www.tpb.gov.ph/rtpcrphtravel/. (PR)

 

World's oldest living person celebrates 118th birthday

Kane Tanaka (Anadolu)

TOKYO – Kane Tanaka, a Japanese woman recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest living person, turned 118 on Saturday, according to local media.

Tanaka, born on Jan. 2, 1903, celebrated her 118th birthday at a care facility in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, where she lives, NHK News reported.

She celebrated her birthday, clapping her hands, and said she plans to stay healthy until the age of 120, the report noted.

Tanaka is in good health, eats three times a day, and does exercise, while she has "almost no chance" to meet her relatives due to measures against Covid-19, it added. (Anadolu)