Nov 282016
 

The Philippine travel and tourism industry contributed a total of P1.43 trillion to the economy in 2015, equivalent to about 10.6% of gross domestic product (GDP), according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), a global body representing the Travel & Tourism private sector. This figure is expected to rise by 6.6% this year and is forecasted to increase further by 5.4% to P2.6 trillion by 2026.

Nov 272016
 

Just last week, I was invited to talk of the role of millennials in the work force at a convention in Davao City. There is both curiosity and concern regarding the new generation of professionals who are defining the future of business. In fact, the topic is timely, interesting and universal enough for EY to recently publish insights shared by EY People Advisory Partners and Leaders in an article titled The future of work.

Nov 262016
 
Duterte to declare Panatag Shoal a marine sanctuary area

  President Duterte press conference at Melia Hotel in Lima, Peru: President Rodrigo R. Duterte orders all Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) officials to resign immediately due to reports of corruption during a press conference at Melia Hotel in Lima, Peru on Sunday (Nov. 20, 2016). (Photo by King Rodriguez/PPD/PNA) LIMA, Peru, Nov. 21 (PNA) – President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is set to declare the lagoon in Panatag Shoal a marine sanctuary area, a senior security official said Sunday. National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. disclosed that the President will sign an executive order declaring a lagoon in the Panatag Shoal, internationally known as Scarborough Shoal, a “no-fishing zone” for both Filipino and Chinese fishermen. This ‘unilateral declaration’ has been relayed to Chinese President Xi Jinping during the two leaders’ bilateral meeting held at the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting, according to Cabinet officials present during the APEC Media Press Conference with the Philippine media delegation. Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said that President Xi hoped to create something favorable out of this. “We will mobilize government forces to promote our agreements, step up guidance to create a favorable environment. Yun ang sinabi niya (President Xi) pagkatapos mabanggit ni Presidente Duterte yung kanyang unilateral declaration na gawing marine sanctuary,” Andanar said quoting the Chinese leader. The Panatag Shoal is a traditional fishing ground for Filipino fishermen. It was virtually off-limits to local fishermen as they complain of incidents of harassment they received from the Chinese Coast Read More …