PH eyes holding tourism fair in Singapore

MANILA – With less than 200,000 Singaporean visitors to the Philippines in 2017, Manila is planning to hold a tourism fair in the Southeast Asian state this year to further increase Singaporean arrivals, an envoy said Tuesdsay.

Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Joseph del Mar Yap said there is no tourism attache in the city-state at present, but the embassy is working closely with the Department of Tourism (DOT) in drumming up promotions.

"In tourism, we actually work through the Department of Tourism. They don’t have an attache here but they worked with a person who promotes Philippine tourism," he said. "And the embassy also, we tried to work with them as well as our other Filipino partners here, like the airlines, for example, the Philippine Airlines."

"For this year, for example, they are planning to have a tourism fair, specifically to promote the Philippines to Singaporeans," he added.

Yap said roughly 200,000 Singaporeans travel to the Philippines annually as tourists, while about 500,000 Filipinos come to Singapore.

"But of course, that means we can still try to improve that balance and try to get more Singaporeans to visit the Philippines," Yap said.

With additional emphasis on more tourism fairs, more cooperation with travel agents in Singapore, and more direct flights to the Philippines, the envoy said Manila can easily increase the number of Singaporean tourists.

Based on latest DOT data, Singaporean visitors in 2017 decreased by 4.21 percent from 176,057 in 2016 to at least 168,637 last year. (PNA/By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora/re-posted by: Becky D. de Asis)  

Outgoing AFP chief: Galvez very capable of leading military

MANILA -- Incoming Armed Forces of the Philippines chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez is very capable of leading the 120,000-strong military, outgoing AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero said Sunday.

Guerrero said Galvez's competence was proven by his ability to lead and command various forces which includes battalion and brigade-sized formations.

Aside from this, Galvez also served as staff officer at the AFP General Headquarters and special duties as head of the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities.

"Most recently, he has distinguished himself as a Western Mindanao commander during the Marawi Siege. So he (is) more than capable," Guerrero said.

Guerrero, who is scheduled to step down on Wednesday, is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1984.

His replacement, Galvez, is a member of PMA Class of 1985.

The incoming AFP chief was a recipient of the United States Eisenhower Fellowships in 2006 and was adjudged as one of the “The Outstanding Philippine Soldier (TOPS) in 2007.

During Galvez's stint as 1st Scout Ranger Battalion commander, which operated in Sulu and Basilan against the Abu Sayyaf terrorists, the unit was named Best Scout Ranger Battalion in 2000 and 2001.

It was also chosen as the Philippine Army Best Battalion for Combat Operations in 2002.

He is also a recipient of the Military Merit Medal, Military Commendation Medal, Gold Cross Medal, Distinguished Service Star, Leadership Award and Outstanding Achievement Medal. (PNA)