Public urged to spend holidays in RP

MANILA, Philippines - Tourism Secretary Ace Durano yesterday urged the public to spend their holidays in the country and contribute to the local economy, especially with the many long weekends of regular and special non-working holidays for 2010 that Malacañang declared.

“Spending your vacation here is a great pledge to love your own and do your part in boosting our country’s growth,” said Durano.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) released the list of the long weekends, with the Palace’s declaration of regular and special non-working holidays for 2010 as stated in Republic Act 9492 and Proclamation 1841.

The long weekends related to the holidays are:

• Feb. 20-22, Saturday to Monday (Feb. 22 - EDSA Anniversary)

• April 1-4, Thursday-Sunday (April 1 - Holy Thursday, April 2 – Good Friday)

• April 9-11 Friday-Sunday (April 9 – Araw ng Kagitingan)

• May 1-3, Saturday-Monday (May 1 – Labor Day moved to May 3)

• June 12 to 14, Saturday-Monday, (June 14 – Independence Day)

• Aug. 21-23, Saturday-Monday (Aug. 21 – Ninoy Aquino Day moved to Aug. 23)

• Aug. 28-30, Saturday-Monday (Aug. 30 – National Heroes Day)

• Oct. 30-Nov. 1, Saturday-Monday, (Nov. 1 – All Saints’ Day)

• Nov. 27 to 29, Saturday-Monday, (Nov. 29 - Bonifacio Day)

• Dec. 24 to 27, Friday-Monday (Dec. 24 – Non-Working Holiday, Dec. 25 – Christmas Day, Dec. 27 – Rizal Day)

• Dec. 31-Jan. 2, Friday-Sunday, (Dec. 31 – Non-Working Holiday, Jan. 1 – New Year’s Day)

The observance of Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha would be issued by the government upon the advice of the Office on Muslim Affairs.

Durano said aside from country’s eight anchor tourist spots – Boracay, Palawan, Davao, Cebu, Bohol, Vigan, Baguio and Manila – the department is also promoting unexplored sites to benefit the communities in remote areas.

“We enjoin people to visit tucked-away destinations as well for economic gains to trickle down to the grassroots,” Durano said.

These alternative spots are readily available and highly accessible for tourists who prefer to immerse themselves in the local life, enjoy the flavor of homegrown leisure, and stay in accommodations such as homestays and inns, added the tourism chief.

The DOT has launched some alternative sites like the Sohoton Natural Bridge National Park in Leyte and the Danao Adventure Park in Bohol.

“While beaches of Boracay and Palawan are still top-drawers, Camiguin, Leyte, Mindoro, Occidental and Oriental Negros, Siquijor, Quezon also have pristine waters and stunning coastlines,” Durano said.

Nature-lovers could go to Bataan, Batanes, Benguet, Bulacan, Cavite, Marinduque, and Romblon, while heritage hunters may seek the old historical charm of Bacolod and Iloilo, aside from Ilocos.

Tourists who plan to just visit urban areas in Manila, Makati, Cebu and Davao have a range of options laid out for them.

“On top of shopping, food trips, night-time entertainment and theme park activities, we have huge theater performances and concerts lined up for the year,” said DOT Undersecretary Eduardo Jarque Jr.

He noted travel trends that the public should look out for. 

“Extreme outdoor activities are big this year. The range is more expansive now, with tourists who are open-minded and raring to experience something new,” Jarque said.

The department has been promoting adventure activities such as plunges, zipline rides, wake boarding, skim boarding, kayaking and cylotourism.

“A beach lover can enjoy a relaxing spa retreat in Palawan, a festive party in Boracay, or a surfing break in La Union. Our islands offer a unique plethora of things to do for all kinds of tourists,” said Jarque.