By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Noticing that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and “balikbayans” spend more during their short vacation in the country, House Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan on Monday called on the Department of Tourism (DOT) to encourage a larger number of Filipinos abroad to spend their holidays in the Philippines.

Libanan, who represents the 4Ps (Pagtibayin At Palaguin Ang Pangkabuhayang Pilipino) party-list and great grandson of Katipunan treasurer Valentin Diaz, said their spending can boost the country’s tourism revenues and jobs growth to a great extent.

“Compared to other foreign visitors, overseas Filipinos tend to spend considerably more money here during their vacations, mainly due to their strong social and economic ties,” he said.

Data from DOT revealed that 396,147 Philippine passport holders, who are also permanent residents (PR) overseas, have visited the country from January to November 2023.

“Many overseas Filipinos spend for the improvement of their ancestral homes here in the Philippines when they come for a visit, while others set up new investments, such as apartments for rent, to provide a recurring income stream to their relatives here,” Libanan noted.

He added that the Filipinos who are now PR in their respective adopted countries will “also likely to purchase locally made products to bring with them when they leave.”

“We want the Tourism Promotions Board to draw up a new marketing plan that will purposely entice overseas Filipinos to come and visit their motherland,” Libanan said.

(IAmigo/MNM)

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By Junex Doronio

CONCERNED THAT CIVILIANS, SPECIALLY CHILDREN, are caught in the crossfire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas armed conflict, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte has urged Filipinos to call for a ceasefire and peaceful negotiations amid the escalating violence in the Middle East.

In a video message, Duterte on Thursday, October 19, expressed concern the conflict in the region has impacted civilians, including children.

“Ako ay nananawagan sa aking mga kapwa Pilipino na ipahayag ang isang tigil-putukan at dalhin ang usapin ng kapayapaan sa mesa,” Duterte said.

At the same time, she called for unity among the parties in the country in issuing a collective appeal for lasting peace in the region to end the suffering of civilians.

“Ating ipanawagan ang pagkakaisa ng mga partido upang maglabas ng kolektibong pananawagan para sa pangmatagalang kapayapaan at wakasan ang pagdurusa at kahirapan na nararanasan ng mga sibilyan lalo na ang pangangalaga sa kapakanan ng mga bata,” the VPES further said.

Israel’s latest assault on Gaza began after fighters from Hamas, the Palestinian armed resistance movement governing the occupied Strip, launched a surprise attack on October 7 just outside the besieged enclave on Israeli territory.

(ai/mnm)

HANGZHOU, China — The struggle continues for the national judo squad as Dylwynn Gimena and Carl Dave Aseneta bombed out in the 19th Asian Games at the Xiaoshan Linpu Gymnasium here on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old Gimena fell prey to Khuslen Otgonbayar of Mongolia via ippon in the Round of 16 of the women’s -78-kilogram class while the 26-year-old Aseneta surrendered to Won Jonghoon of South Korea also via ippon in the Round of 16 of the men’s -100-kg event.

With that, the national squad suffered a shutout in individual events as all of its athletes failed to advance past the quarterfinals.

Their brightest hope in former Asian Games silver medalist Kiyomi Watanabe started hot as she beat her Vietnamese foe in the Round of 16 but fell prey to the Japanese top seed in the quarterfinals of the women’s -63-kg category.

Philippine Judo Federation secretary general said their athletes were prepared but luck simply didn’t go their way.

“They were ready to compete but the luck of the draw didn’t go our way,” said Carter, whose wards were backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee.

Also going home without individual medals are Leah Jhane Lopez (women’s -48-kg), Shugen Nakano (men’s -66-kg), Rena Furukawa (women’s 57-kg), John Viron Ferrer (men’s -80-kg), Ryoko Salinas (women’s -70-kg), and Kyodo Nakano (men’s -73-kg).

The Filipinos, however, still have a chance to come up with a strong finish as they compete in the mixed team event on the final day of competition on Wednesday. (ai/mnm)