Travel and Tourism

The Department of Tourism (DoT) wants to ensure the safety of tourists and travel-related businesses during and after the onslaught of typhoons Emong and Dante across almost the entire country. DoT Secretary Christina Frasco said that more than 1,000 tourists, mostly in Regions 8 and 10, were affected or stranded due to flight and ferry cancellations. No injuries or fatalities …

The hotel industry said the country should position itself as a safe destination, to counter the negative impact of an international survey that portray the Philippines as unsafe. “I think we also need to work with the government on a concerted effort in reintroducing the Philippines to all of our key markets, reminding everybody why we are different from Thailand, …

The Department of Transportation (DoTr) targets to begin pilot operations for the Davao Bus project, formerly Davao Public Transport Modernization Program, in 2027. Transport Secretary Vince Dizon said the pilot will cover the Catalunan Pequeño-Ulas-Bangkal-Matina-Bankerohan-Quirino-Bajada-Lanang-Buhangin-Sasa routes. DoTr said it is also launching the Davao Bus Driving academy to train designated drivers, conductors and support staff with the 672-kilometer Davao Bus …

DAVAO CITY – The Davao City government announced the new buses it bought from a local contractor are expected to be turned over and subsequently fielded by August or September in a move to offset the much-delayed funding for the experimental bus transport system that would replace traditional jeepneys. Dwight Tristan Domingo, manager of the Davao City Bus Project, said …

Metro Manila commuters can now pay for their MRT-3 fares, effective July 25, using their Mastercard credit, debit or prepaid cards by using designated turnstiles. Mastercard said the new capability is also available to cardholders using compatible e-wallets on NFC-enabled Android smartphones. According to Mastercard, this signifies a growing momentum for open-loop payment systems across Southeast Asia, a collaborative effort …

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) through the management of Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7) denied they are responsible for the recent flooding along a portion of Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City. “Its facilities near Batasan Station on Commonwealth Avenue are not the cause of the flooding that occurred in the area,” according to a statement from MRT-7 Project Management Office. …

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. formally launched the deployment of the Dalian trains at MRT 3, nearly a decade after government acquired the train sets. “This is the first day that these Dalian trains are finally in service — mula noong binili, hindi pa nagamit ito,” Marcos said as a Dalian train rolls by MRT-3 Santolan-Annapolis Station. The Philippines acquired 48 light …

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) wants to talk with state-run banks to explore possible financial relief for jeepney operators struggling to repay loans tied to the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP). LTFRB Chairperson Teofilo E. Guadiz III said the agency will initiate discussions with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), Land Bank of the Philippines and …

HO CHI MINH, Vietnam – The Vietnamese affiliate of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) is implementing a $1.5-billion project covering three districts south of Vietnam, its biggest undertaking this year. Officials of CII Bridges and Roads Investment JSC (CII B&R) said the company is poised to be handpicked by the Vietnamese government as the investor for the Ho Chi Minh …

The metro’s major railways are giving 50% discount to senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs), President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced as he launched the discount program at the MRT-3 Santolan-Annapolis Station. “Ang makikinabang  dito sa programang ito ay siguro mga 13 milyong senior citizen at saka 7 milyon na PWD,” Marcos told the crowd.  The 50% discount is available …