Palace: It's more fun in Philippines despite US travel advisory

Saturday, January 7, 2012

A PALACE official said it’s more fun in the Philippines despite a United States travel advisory warning its citizens of possible terrorist activities in the country.

"We do everything to secure not just our citizens but also our visitors…If you also take the general precautions and you do not disregard your safety, you will definitely enjoy the sceneries in the Philippines," deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in an interview over state-run dzRB radio.

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"It’s true, it’s more fun in the Philippines," Valte added.

The US State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs released its new travel warning Thursday (Friday in Manila) the same day the Department of Tourism (DOT) launched its campaign slogan “It’s more fun in the Philippines.”

The new slogan is expected to attract 4.2 million tourists this year from last year’s 3.7 million foreign tourists. Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez aims 12 million tourist arrivals by the end of President Benigno Aquino III’s term in 2016.

In the revised travel warning, US citizens traveling to the Philippines have been advised to enroll with the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program or at the US Embassy in Manila to receive security and safety updates.

The US State Department said that while recent terror incidents have occurred in Mindanao and Sulu, indiscriminate attacks could still occur in any area of the Philippines, including Manila.

"Public gathering places may be targeted, including (but not limited to) airports, shopping malls, conference centers, and other public venues," it stated.

"Kidnap-for-ransom gangs continue to be active throughout the Philippines and have targeted foreigners, including US citizens. US citizens should exercise caution when traveling in the vicinity of demonstrations, since they can turn confrontational and possibly escalate to violence," the travel warning added.

On Saturday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) downplayed the advisory, saying that "tourism inflows continue to produce positive results."

The latest US advisory "provides updates on developments in Mindanao, but is essentially the same as the previous one," Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez said.

"The Philippine government remains committed in maintaining public security and safety of Filipinos and of any foreign nationals staying in the country," he added. (Kathrina Alvarez/CVB/Sunnex)