January-June tourist revenues hit P282B
Revenues from the country’s tourism industry reached an estimated P282.17 billion for the first half of the year, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT). The amount collected from Jan. 1 to June 30 was 32.81-percent higher than the P212.47 billion collected during the same period in 2023.
“This 32.81-percent rise from last year’s figures not only showcases the growing appeal of the Philippines as a premier travel destination but also underscores the tangible benefits that tourism brings to our economy and our people,” Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said.
Based on the DOT report, as of July 10, about 3.2 million visitors had entered the country, with 92.55 percent or 2,937,293 of these foreigners while 7.45 percent or 236,401 were overseas Filipinos.
South Korea was the country’s top source of foreign visitors, accounting for 824,798 or 25.99 percent of the total, followed by the US with 522,667 (16.47 percent), China, 199,939 (6.30 percent); Japan, 188,805 (5.95 percent); and Australia, 137,391 (4.33 percent). —JACOB LAZARO
El Niño-hit Calabarzon folk receive aid
President Marcos distributed cash aid on Thursday to about 4,700 farmers and fisherfolk in Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Batangas and Quezon (Calabarzon) provinces who were affected by the El Niño phenomenon earlier this year.
In separate events in the City of Dasmariñas and San Jose town in Batangas, the President handed checks of up to P24 million to local officials and P10,000 each to individual farmers and fishermen.
Mr. Marcos also gave the provincial governments of Cavite and Rizal checks amounting to P12.36 million and P14.51 million, respectively, as well as P10,000 in cash assistance to 10 selected farmer beneficiaries in each province.
The provincial governments of Laguna and Batangas, on the other hand, received aid of P24 million and P17.42 million, respectively.
The Department of Agriculture also distributed to selected beneficiaries farm machineries and equipment, including tractors, a combine harvester, multitillers, a rice thresher, hauling trucks, and pump and engine sets. —MELVIN GASCON
