PH awarded as world's leading destination for the first time ever!

 

The Philippines has been awarded the title of 2022’s World’s Leading Beach Destination at the 29th World Travel Awards’ November 11 gala ceremony in Muscat, Oman. This is the first time the country has bagged the top spot.

The Philippines bested nominees which include Jamaica; Greece; Santa Monica, California; Turks and Caicos Islands; Mexico; Thailand; Mexico, Maui; Maldives, and Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands.

The tropical country was also hailed as the World’s Leading Dive Destination for a fourth consecutive year, beating Azores Islands; Belize; Fiji; Galapagos Islands; Australia’s Great Barrier Reef; Maldives; Mexico; and French Polynesia.

 

Aside from the World’s Leading accolades, the Philippines also bagged Asia’s Leading Beach Destination and Asia’s Leading Dive Destination for 2022 once again.

This year, the World Travel Awards also recognized 

Three other Philippine establishments: City of Dreams Manila as the World’s Leading Casino Resort; Amanpulo as the World’s Leading Dive Resort; and Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila as the World’s Leading Serviced Apartments. Intramuros also reclaimed its title as Asia’s Leading Tourist Attraction.

Siargao was nominated for World’s Leading Island Destination 2022 and Cebu as well for Asia’s Leading Wedding Destination 2022, but they lost to Madeira Islands and Bali, Indonesia, respectively.

The World Travel Awards “acknowledges, rewards, and celebrates excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries,” according to the website. The brand, which is “recognized globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence,” picks from nominees across Asia, the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, the Indian Ocean, the Middle East, North America, Oceania, and South America.|

Marinduque tourism infrastructure and new hotels, restaurants gearing up as tourism reopens

By-pass road in Boac includes the on-going construction of Santol-Lupac Bridge. 

This photo courtesy of Jkristian Dpaz

In Marinduque during the last decade, provincial and national government have invested quite aggressively in the development of needed infrastructure. Such that there’s probably little catching up to do now with neighboring provinces. 

A momentum has gathered all in support of serious tourism promotion and economic development initiatives.

For example, the new road project from the mountains of Boac to the steep slopes in Torrijos that has simply remained a pipe dream for more than six decades is nearing completion now. That includes the building of two bridges.

Boac interior through Brgy. Tumagabok, once regarded so remote it was seriously dreamt about only by politicos in the mid 60’s to establish a separate town there, but it never came to pass.

Now, barangays Hinapulan, Sabong and others in Boac to the West and Talawan, Sibuyao in Torrijos to the East are seeing four lane road projects in place.

Sections of the new winding road from Boac to Torrijos

NEDA has reported that in 2016, in support to the Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build” program, the provincial government of Marinduque strengthened the improvement of core and priority rural roads in the province.

Most of the priority road infrastructures of the provincial government  led to production and tourism areas.

In 2018, two road projects, the Caigangan-Bagtingon Road in Buenavista was accomplished, as well as the Boac-Mogpog via Tagwak-Danao, Mataas na Bayan Road.

New road construction and upgrading undertaken was the eight kilometer long Balanacan–Hinanggayon Road in Mogpog providing easy access to the Luzon Datum Marker of 1911, now a major tourist attraction, a convergence project of the DOT and DPWH.

With the new tourism access road built with an approximate cost of 180 million pesos (Phases 1 and 2), Luzon Datum has gained more visitors who want to experience a leisurely trip and capture souvenir photos taken right at the center of the Philippines.

Luzon Datum Marker is the geodetic reference center of the Philippines where all geodetic surveys in the country are referenced from, not to mention the reference point of all geographic positioning systems (GPS) in the globe.

Road to Luzon Datum

By-pass roads from Matandang Gasan to Pangi and Boac-Mogpog are on-going.  When completed, one can leave Buenavista and drive straight to Balanacan Pier without passing through the town propers of Gasan, Boac and Mogpog.

Other roads leading to and connecting tour destinations have also been recently completed: Brgys. Argao, Guisian Mogpog to Botilao (Sayao Bay,Hacupan Island); Brgy. San Isidro (Bagumbungan Cave) to Brgy Ipil (Bathala Cave), to name some.

Access is crucial in tourism development, hence, travel to and from Marinduque is also a concern: More seaports have been constructed and airport development for a bigger one is in the pipeline as well.

Marelco currently has supply capacity of 15 megawatts including the power barge to meet the peak load capacity of about 13 megawatts.  There is also a 3-megawatts generator in Torrijos currently in the testing phase that would increase the power supply in Marinduque.

PLDT has started connecting Marinduque to Batangas via submarine cable as it continues to improve telco service in the island-province following fiber optic deployment and clamor for it. 

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Encouraged by these strong official and private sector initiatives, developers have come in to invest some more in tourist facilities like hotels, resorts and restaurants.

We see the likes of new establishments in Boac, the capital town, such as Balar Resort and Spa, Hotel Marinduque, Hotel Zenturia, Marina Marinduque Hotel and Resort, Freedom Eco-Adventure Park, Happyroo Hotel and Restaurant in Gasan and Amara Resort and Beach Villas in Torrijos among others.

Balar Hotel and Spa

Hotel Zenturia

Noteworthy among newly established restaurants include Villa Negro in Argao, Mogpog, and there are  many more food establishmenrs in all the six municipalities.

Villa Negro Cafe in Argao, Mogpog

Other photos: Screenshots from BaRuzkie Reynes vids

Also read:

BBM family Marinduque visit; Call to push real tourism and pull all mining threats altogether

BBM family Marinduque visit; Call to push real tourism and pull all mining threats altogether

 

BBM and sons visit Bishop Rey Evamgelista at the Diocese of Boac. The disasters wrought by mining must have been recalled during the visit.

 

In April 2010, our newly-elected President Bongbong Marcos visited Marinduque, the Heart of the Philippines. To have a glimpse of the Holy Week traditions here.

He then gave a statement before the world that this island-paradise should be promoted as a major tourist destination, citing its vast resources and its natural beauty.

“Marinduque is known worldwide for its colorful Moriones Festival and that’s good, but it has so much more to offer…  that we must and will capitalize on to boost tourism, spur economic activities, and uplift the quality of lives of Marinduquenos”, BBM said.

Would-be First Lady, Liza,  with sister, Irene and BBM sons Sandro, Vincent and Simon  meet the Moriones.

I was in the middle of rehearsals to mount my passion play in Buenavista, when this blogger was suddenly tasked by the late Gov. Bong Carrion to which I of course, obliged to coordinate their visit with the municipalities.

Due to the tight schedule, the BBM family did not get to see a world-class resort here at that time, but which due to problems with the outdated airport eventually had to close down also.

But by May of the same year, CNN International reported that Marinduque could very well be “the next tourist hotspot in Asia”.

“For years, Marinduque has been under the foreign tripper’s radar, but not for long if politicos and developers have their way. The laid-back island province is now being touted as the Philippines’ next holiday haven”, CNN reported.

“Luzon officials are also on a crusade to raise the area’s public profile”, and quoted BBM who said, “once the Marinduque air and sea ports are modernized, larger volume of local and foreign tourists can be lured to visit its little-known but awesome white sand beaches”.

Well, it is local politicos and private developers in Marinduque who had their way since then, paving the way for BBM to consider revisiting Marinduque now to see what has transpired here in terms of tourism infrastructure. (He and Inday Sara missed the province during the campaign).

Both candidates won here and throughout MIMAROPA also, you know.

 

Call for BBM

May we say to President BBM, that his wish for “the chance to lead efforts to make it a key tourism destination” really needs a little, just a little more push this time. 

Just a little lovin’.

Please come again soonest Mr. President.  But, but, before coming, be reminded that this tourism related dream of Marinduquenos and yours, too, may not truly come to pass if...

You see, there are yet unresolved issues that went on and on during the term of all seven presidents before you (unfortunately), in connection with protecting our people from the ravages of irresponsible mining. Sickness and death included.

But all our six municipalities, without exception in having their realization, have now joined persistent calls that lasted decades to declare small island-Marinduque a mining free-zone.

So, Mr. President, kindly push for real tourism here now, and decisively help pull all mining risks and threats in Marinduque altogether for once.

Marinduquenos are joyful in cheering for you! And we're not called the Heart of the Philippines for nothing.

Welcome back in advance!

Incumbent Boac Mayor Armi Carrion, the late Gov. Bong Carrion, Bongbong Marcos, Vice-Gov. Tom Pizarro

Also read:

Diocese asks next admin to declare Marinduque as ‘mining-free’ zone

Gov't seeking bidders for port expansion project in Marinduque

At Balanacan Port
 

THE PHILIPPINE Ports Authority (PPA) said it has started seeking bidders for a port expansion project in Marinduque.

In an invitation to bid, the PPA said it intends to “apply the sum of P294,441,838.26 being the approved budget for… the contract for the Balanacan Port Expansion Project, Port of Balanacan, Mogpog, Marinduque.”

The agency requires completion of the works in 540 calendar days from the receipt by the successful bidder of the notice to proceed.

The agency also said bidders should have “completed a contract similar to the project.”

It said the bidding will be conducted through “open competitive” procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion.

The bids and awards committee (BAC) of the agency will hold a pre-bid conference on Aug. 11.

“Bids must be duly received by the BAC secretariat through manual submission… on or before 24 August 2021 at 1:00 p.m.,” the PPA said.

The opening of bids will also take place on the same day at 2 p.m.

Last week, transport officials inaugurated the expanded Cantilan Port in Surigao del Sur.

he department said the government completed 451 seaport projects from July 2016 to June 2021.

This article first appeared on BusinessWorld

Mesmerized by Marinduque, Tourism Sec Berna Puyat

 Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat was in Marinduque recently for a whirlwind tour. She describes her experience on her FB page.

Berna frees a butterfly as she makes a wish that more people will get to visit Marinduque

Ever wonder what lies at the heart of the Philippines? Marinduque, the (anatomical) heart-shaped island province in the MIMAROPA region, is also the geographic center of the archipelago. The Luzon Datum of 1911 can be found at the summit of  Mataas na Bundok, and it serves as the reference point for all survey and mapping activities in the country. The view from up here is spectacular and definitely worth the almost 500 steps it took to reach the deck.

The Tourism Sec with Provincial Administrator Mike Velasco and House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco at the geographical center of the Philippines atop Mataas na Bundok

At Casa de Emilio, an old colonial house, I had a taste of the cuisine of the Marinduqueno. Their version of kari-kari is quite unique. If I wasn’t allergic to seafood, I would have definitely loved the ulang na kagang, a seafood dish made from a native variety of crab called kagang. But their lechon was one of the best I have ever tasted!!! Lechoneros all over the country say that the native black pig from Marinduque are the best pig to roast!

The native black pig from Marinduque are the best to roast

Special appearance of the morions with Berna and Boac Mayor Armi Carrion

For a small province, there’s a whirlwind of activities to do. I went island hopping to Maniwaya Island, dipped my toes in the healing sulfuric springs of the Malbog Sulfuric resort, learned about Moriones history at the National Museum, and visited the fortress-like Boac Cathedral, built in 1792 and now declared an Important Cultural Property. I also visited the Marl Insect and Butterfly farm, where I learned that over 75 percent of the nation’s butterfly breeders are found in Marinduque, which is a major exporter to the world, hence the province’s other moniker as the “Butterfly Capital of the Philippines.” The legend goes that if you free a butterfly it will grant you a wish. Guess who kept trying to catch and release butterflies? 😆

Speaker Velasco with Bishop Marcelino Maralit Jr. guide Berna inside the historic Boac Cathedral

One of my wishes is that more people will get to visit Marinduque and experience the warm welcome I felt the moment I arrived. Guests are literally crowned in the putong or tubong ceremony and are blessed with a long life. It’s no wonder I left my heart in the “heart of the Philippine islands.”

Special thanks to Speaker Lord Allan Velasco @speaker_lord_velasco  and Gov Presbitero Velasco Jr.

- Berna Romulo-Puyat

All photos courtesy of Berna Romulo-Puyat

DOT welcomes the approval of IATF uniform travel protocols

 

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is for the safe reopening of tourist destinations as this allows us to restart our economy and help our tourism workers regain their jobs. The Department therefore welcomes the approval of uniform travel protocols for all local government units (LGUs) by the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) to facilitate travel movement and promote local tourism.

The DOT deems the simplification of requirements as vital in encouraging domestic travel and helping in the speedy recovery of Philippine tourism.

The DOT also defers to the decision of LGUs to require tests before travel. For those requiring RT-PCR tests, the subsidized program in partnership with the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) and the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) will help reduce costs and encourage travel.

DOT reminds tourists and stakeholders of the need to still strictly ensure minimum health and safety protocols such as wearing of a mask and face shield, physical distancing, hand sanitizing, and booking or operating in DOT-accredited establishments, among others to protect both the tourists, tourism workers and the residents of host communities.

Relatedly, the DOT will continue to develop minimum health and safety guidelines for the tourism sub-sectors to prepare LGUs in the safe reopening of their destinations.

Marinduque tourism players prepare to bounce back under the new normal

 

Gov. Presbitero J. Velasco, Jr.

The Marinduque multi-sectoral Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), as approved by the MIMAROPA Regional IATF, has imposed a new travel ban in the province from February 1 – February 15, 2021.  This was due to the fact that the COVID-19 infection rate in Marinduque has gone up by 38% from December 25 to January 25.

The corresponding EO No. 01-2021 signed by Gov. Presby Velasco considered as another factor the confirmed spread outside Marinduque of the alarming transmission of reported COVID-19 variants  - UK variant B1.1.7, South African variant D107 Y and California variant B 1.426. In Bontoc, Mountain Province for example, the COVID-19 variant has reportedly affected 57 individuals by the end of January.

Pandemic effect on Marinduque tourism

With the relentless spread of the virus globally including the Philippines, tourism was, as we know, put to a halt. Tourism in this island paradise had its share of hotel bookings, conferences, seminars and booked tours cancelled, the closure of resorts with some of their staff going on unpaid leave, and a wildlife sanctuary immediately closed operation.

Tourism-related livelihoods were badly affected, schools were likewise closed and local travel was discouraged as the virus spread to many barangays. The already sad situation was worsened by the series of devastating typhoons that hit the province toward the end of 2020.

While DOT announced the resumption of domestic tourism, such was limited to only a few destinations outside Marinduque and subjected to strict health and security guidelines. However, threats of the reintroduction of COVID-19 in such places that could trigger a lockdown remain.

In spite of the uncertainty on what lies ahead, however, the government remains confident that the tourism industry would bounce back, and that the sector could be reenergized on the back of a successful distribution of coronavirus vaccines. This is expected to result in gradual adjustments in protocols that could open tourism borders wider.

Ms. Susan Nace, Marinduque Provincial Tourism Council president

Local tourism sector response

As tourism players remain optimistic to slowly be back in track in 2021, Gov. Velasco, has issued Executive Order No. 36-2020 creating the Marinduque Provincial Tourism Development Council (MTDC), to serve as venue for the private sector to take steps in addressing such challenges and concerns brought about by the pandemic to the local tourism industry.

PDTC officers are Susan Nace (Dream Favor Travel and Tours),  president; Glynis Karen Raza (Marinduque State College), vice president, Carmelita Rejano, treasurer, Rafael Seno, (Agrea)  secretary, Sabrina Macavinta (Casa de Don Emilio), auditor, with Gerry Jamilla, provincial tourism officer, Romeo Mataac, Jr. (Philippine Information Agency), and Atty. Rommel Fernandez (Provincial Legal Officer), members.

Gov. Velasco inducts the officers and members of the tourism council

To get everything ready when domestic tourism is finally resumed as well as to encourage local tourism when everything’s in place, the Council recently held the first Tourism-Related Industry Conference (TRICON) via Zoom as part of “Araw ng Marinduque” activities. This saw the active involvement of tourism players province-wide.

The teleconference was joined in by Gov. Presbitero J. Velasco, Jr., Regional Director Christopher Morales of MIMAROPA, Dr. Rachel Rowena Garcia, Provincial DOH Officer, Dr. Gerry Caballes, Provincial Health Officer and SP Member Melgabal Encabo of the Committee on Tourism.

Tourism players physically present, others via Zoom

Under the present situation the Council wants to promote digitalization which could help the players rethink their way of doing business, also stressing  the need to ensure that health and sanitation protocols in identified destinations are in line with the standards of the new normal.

The concept of theme-based tourism called “tourism circuit” will be reintroduced to encourage visits by local tourists to gradually start the economy, especially in certain destinations -  Torrijos Beach in Brgy. Poctoy, farm-tourism sites in Boac, Sibuyao in Torrijos, Luzon Datum in Mogpog, and the National Museum in Boac. Incidentally, the Museum is ready to open a new exhibition showcasing an entirely new collection of artefacts from several Marinduque underwater archaeology projects together with an ethnographic exhibit.

Above presentation by RD Christopher Morales. Dr. Caballes spoke on Science on the reopening of Tourism in Marinduque and Dr. Garcia on DOH policies and guidelines on the pandemic.

A proposed “tourism bubble” intended for guests coming outside Marinduque shall be reviewed. Establishments have fully cooperated with the government to ensure compliance to proper protocols prescribed. To date, there are already 14 accommodation establishments with DOT-issued Certificates of Authority to Operate (CAO). While visitors are required to book their stays in certified accommodation establishments they have been unfortunately affected by about ten months of inactivity.

These are: (In Boac): Balar Hotel & Spa, Tahanan sa Isok, Eastpoint Hotel, Hotel Zenturia, The Boac Hotel, Freedom Eco Adventure Park, Adis Hotel & Resort, A&A Beach Resort, Hotel Marinduque and Kennedy  Paige Transient Inn. (In Torrijos): Villa Briones Beach Resort, Village Sunrise Inn. (In Gasan): Luxor Resort. (In Mogpog): Ulong Bay Beach Resort. 

Meanwhile, the provincial government has issued orders supporting the resumption of its only airport and allows resumption of commercial flights. This now awaits a letter of intent from the airline, Cebu Pacific for the resumption of the Manila-Marinduque-Manila route.

“We in the Marinduque tourism sector just have to be ready to start economic activity in the industry for our stakeholders to get back to work and business sooner than later once we are given the go- signal”, said Nace who now heads the Marinduque Provincial Tourism Council and operates the only DOT-accredited travel agency in the island-province.

IATF okays 'staycation' in hotels in GCQ areas

 

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat 

MANILA – Hotels in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) may soon accept "staycation" guests aside from health workers and exempted employees, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat confirmed on Friday night. 

"Upon the recommendation of the Department of Tourism (DOT) to explore various ways in restarting tourism activities during quarantine, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) approved during its Principals Meeting on 10 September 2020 to allow staycations under GCQ," Romulo-Puyat said in a text message.

She defined staycation as a "minimum overnight stay for leisure purposes" in a DOT-accredited accommodation establishment located near one’s residence.

For instance, residents of Metro Manila can check-in at a hotel within the National Capital Region subject to the requirements of the local government unit.

Romulo-Puyat said the DOT would soon issue a memorandum circular on staycations under GCQ based on comments and suggestions of the IATF-EID.

The memorandum circular would have specific regulations on all aspects involved in this activity, ranging from the maximum allowable number of persons in a guestroom to the use of ancillary services, such as restaurants and recreational areas.

In the IATF-EID’s Resolution 70, hotels were also allowed to accommodate guests that fall under "markets of specialized programs of the DOT.

Romulo-Puyat said these programs would focus on "specific target markets that can safely contribute" to the efforts of restarting economic activities through tourism.

She, however, declined to divulge who could be tagged as target markets pending the release of the guidelines. (PNA, Joyce Ann Rocamora)

 

Marinduque: One of the country’s best kept secrets

Better Future: Marinduque Governor Presby Velasco Jr. during the meeting with Tourism and Planning department heads recently

The Provincial Government of Marinduque led by Gov. Presby Velasco Jr. is continuously preserving the beauty of the province as he reveals the opening of tourism activities soon. 

Preserving the culture and maritime wealth of Marinduque province is one of the governor’s main concerns. 

“Soon, tourists will surely enjoy walking on the beach, scuba diving to check out the coral and our different species of fishes and so with island-hoping. But first, let’s fight this pandemic,” says Velasco. 

 

Maniwaya Island: The Palad Sandbar is one of the pride of Marinduque when it comes to tourism. Located at Sta. Cruz, Marinduque

This article first appeared on Philippines Graphic.

Lookback: When connecting the mountainous region of Boac to Torrijos towns began

Recent aerial view of Tumagabok. Mountain road going down.

Photo by Batutzkie Reynes

 

Construction of the road connecting the mountainous region of interior Boac to Torrijos.

"... under the Strong Infrastructure Program of President Arroyo, with no hullabaloo, the province of Marinduque did receive support for national road programs implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)," - Marinduque Rising blog, Central Marinduque Slowly but Surely Now, June 18, 2010

"This included the Balimbing-Bantay Road, the Poblacion Torrijos-Maranlig Road,

and the construction of Hinapulan-Tumagabok Bridge."

Then from another YouTube video dated June 21, 2010. Screenshots from Central Marinduque, future Garden City:

For road rehabilitation/construction on Boac Side, this DPWH sign reads (for Boac Side): Date started: October 16, 2008; Target Completion: July 23, 2009.

The construction of Hinapulan Bridge

And up to the concreting of Bantay Road. 

By 2012, this video showing college boys encouraged by the new infra development in this area led them to explore new sites.

The 'discovery" of Mabusay Falls (in Brgy. Mahinhin), happened when a group of college boys were encouraged to explore the area without having to travel for hours passing through the now concreted Bantay road that leads to Hinapulan-Tumagabok.

YouTube description:

"The lasting thrill of simple discoveries. A group of college dudes encouraged by recent concreting of roads in central Marinduque ventures to explore forests, waterfalls and caverns previously unknown to most islanders. With Azreil Oliveros, John Kenneth Lingcallo, Melvin Flores, Adrian Macapugay and Richard Nardo" -YouTube video Sept. 28, 2012.

Screenshots from the video, Mabusay Falls in Mahinhin, Boac, Marinduque (2012)

By 2019 we see road construction on the side of Tumagabok.

Following screenshots from a video by Batuzkie Reynes (Sept 2019)

Below: Ongoing construction of approx. 20 kilometer mountain road from Canat to Tumagabok. Screenshot from video by Nelson Nace (July 2020).

Also read:

In Marinduque: Yesterday's dreams and schemes, walk among the clouds, mountain roads and bridges