Violence hurting tourism --Gemma

Perceptions of lawlessness in the Philippines as a result of fighting in Mindanao and recent bombings in Metro Manila are hurting the country's tourism industry, Tourism Secretary Gemma Cruz-Araneta said yesterday.

"There is an impact," Araneta said, referring to a decline in tourist arrivals since the escalation last month of fighting between government troops and Muslim rebels in Mindanao. She did not disclose any figures.

Araneta noted that the United States recently issued an advisory to its citizens to avoid portions of the southern Philippines, and said that would "further hurt" tourism.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) is optimistic that the P175 million released earlier for the eco-tourism projects would draw international attention to the Philippines as a "wholesome nature destination" despite current setbacks.

PTA General Manager Lito Banayo said the P175 million in special funds have been allocated and disbursed by the agency to finance its eco-tourism program, which includes promoting the world-class resorts Boracay Island in Caticlan, Aklan and Balicasag Island in Panglao, Bohol.

"We are committed to pursue the promotion of Philippine natural wonders in complete harmony with ecology," he said.

The government has been fighting Muslim rebels for over three decades, but fighting has intensified in recent months.

The conflict in Mindanao gained world attention when a Muslim rebel group snatched 21 people from a Malaysian diving resort on April 23 and took them to the Philippine island of Sulu, about an hour's boat ride away. The Philippine government has so far failed to secure the release of the hostages.

A series of bombings in Manila in recent weeks has added to the perception of lawlessness in the country.

A bomb exploded in Manila's largest shopping mall Sunday, killing one person and injuring at least 17 others in the second attack on a shopping center in the metropolis in four days. --