Angara cites role of infra in tourism growth

The government needs a healthy infrastructure program to help spur the growth of the tourism sector, Sen. Edgardo Angara said over the weekend.

He said the Philippines would not be able to meet its goal of attracting five million foreign tourists a year by 2010 should it fail to invest heavily on infrastructure.

The lawmaker said the country might lag behind its Asian neighbors in the area of tourism if the government does not improve its infrastructure.

“We’ve got magnificent tourist spots but we don’t have the proper logistics and convenient transportation system that’s why we have fallen behind our Asian neighbors,” Angara said.

He said tourism is going to create jobs especially in the rural areas if infrastructure development gets a boost. The most successful tourist destinations — countries like Italy, Spain and France - capitalize on their history, culture and natural beauty.”

Poor infrastructure, political instability, extrajudicial killings, terror threats and financial uncertainties could spoil the hard-earned gains of the tourism sector, Angara said.

One way to improve infrastructure in the country is to build better airports, seaports, hotels, railways and roads all over the country.

“In the next five years, the agribusiness, cyber services, tourism including medical, health care services, the mining and aviation industries will generate more than four million employment. In the agribusiness sector alone, more than two million jobs will be created from now until 2010,” Angara said.  — Iris Gonzales