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Politics

TOURIST TAX REFUND TO BOOST TOURISM — ROMUALDEZ

Speaker Martin Romualdez said the law signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which offers non-resident tourists value-added tax refunds, would be a boon to the tourism sector and domestic commerce.  “This piece of legislation will greatly boost international tourism and the sale of goods by tourist-oriented establishments,” Romualdez said. “More tourist arrivals and increased tourist […]

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Government

FRASCO LAUDS NEW LAW GIVING TOURISTS VAT REFUND

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act (R.A.) 12079, known as the “VAT Refund for Non-Resident Tourists,” during a ceremonial signing recently at Malacañan Palace.In his speech, the President emphasized the significance of the law, stating that “shopping has become an essential part of the travel experience”. Marcos noted that in 2023, the Philippine tourism […]

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Politics

ESCUDERO LAUDS SIGNING OF TOURIST VAT REFUND LAW

Senate President Chiz Escudero said the value-add tax (VAT) refund mechanism for non-resident travelers is a long overdue initiative the country needs to lure more visitors and increase tourist haul. Escudero made the statement as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr signed the legislation amending the National Internal Revenue Code to provide for the VAT refund to […]

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Politics

RILLO EYES TOURIST INFLUX FROM SOUTH KOREA IN 2025

Quezon City Representative Marvin Rillo does not believe South Korea’s short-lived martial law will dampen the appetite of its citizens to visit the Philippines in the months ahead. “We look forward to a very large number of South Korean tourists arriving in the Philippines in 2025,” Rillo, vice chairperson of the House Committee on Tourism, […]

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Government

DOT, DILG EYE COURTS FOR TOURIST-RELATED CRIMES

The critical tourist courts project is now in the pipeline as the chiefs of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) met recently at the DOT Central Office in Makati City to discuss the details of the proposed inter-agency collaboration.  “All of us were very happy about […]

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Politics

VAT REFUND FOR FOREIGN TOURISTS GETS SENATE OK

The Senate recently approved on third and final reading the proposed value-added tax (VAT) refund measure for non-resident tourists that would hopefully attract more tourists. With 20 affirmative votes, one negative vote and no abstention, Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2415 or An Act Creating a Vat Refund Mechanism for Non-Resident Tourists, adding a New Section […]

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Politics

DOT URGED: ATTRACT MORE CHINESE TOURISTS TO PH

Are tourists from mainland China finally starting to return to the Philippines in droves? Is China set to reclaim its spot as the second-biggest supplier of foreign visitors to the Philippines, after South Korea? Quezon City Representative Marvin Rillo, vice chairperson of the House committee on tourism, believes so. “The surge in Chinese tourist arrivals […]

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Politics

VAT REFUND FOR TOURISTS BILL GETS HOUSE PANEL OK

The House Committee on Ways and Means chaired by Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Sarte Salceda approved the unnumbered substitute bill to House Bill 7143, creating a mechanism through which non-resident tourists may refund their value-added tax (VAT). Salceda stressed that the measure is long overdue, noting that the Philippines is the only country in […]

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Politics

BAGUIO TO STRICTLY ENFORCE ANTI-LITTERING LAW

Tourists going to Baguio City should be mindful of the trash they will throw. The city will be strictly implementing the Environment Code and other related laws including the Anti-Littering ordinance. “The parking personnel will serve as an augmentation force to the Baguio City Police Office and the Public Order and Safety Division in monitoring […]

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Politics

SADAGA RELAXES ENTRY RULES FOR TOURISTS

The municipal government of Sagada in Mountain Province continues to get rid of rules that make visits to the town difficult and expensive for tourists. “We are amending and trying to regulate (the) rates of accommodation packages, including tour guide rates and ratios, so that they become less expensive and a burden even to ordinary […]