Philippine embassy in Washington relaunches tour program

MANILA, Philippines — After three years of pandemic lockdowns, the Philippine government has revived a tour designed for balikbayans or Filipinos residing in the United States, as well as Americans, starting this month.

In Manila, they will be welcomed by President Marcos and lay wreaths at the monument of Jose Rizal in the park named after the national hero.

The Philippine embassy in Washington, as well as consulates general in the US, will “resume the most successful government tourism promotion project” dubbed the Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tours, according to a statement from its partner agency Rajah Tours Philippines.

The tour will bring around 300 Filipino-Americans and balikbayans to an eight-day tour in Manila and the province of Iloilo, including the popular beach destination Boracay.

They will also visit popular natural and heritage spots in Iloilo province like the Museum of Philippine Maritime History, Jaro Cathedral and internationally recognized Miag-ao Church.

The travelers also have the option of enjoying Iloilo’s food like batchoy and tablea chocolate; experiencing nature at the Damires Hills Leisure Farm and Isla de Gigantes and enjoying the sights and sounds of the Dinagyang festival at a dinner hosted by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas.

While in Boracay where they can immerse themselves in the sun, sand and beach, the tourists could also choose to make a side trip to join extreme activities in Tibiao town in Antique; dip in the cold waters of Malumpati Cold Spring and Bugang River or go on a nature trip in Ibajay, Aklan.

They would also be treated to dinner in Boracay hosted by Aklan Gov. Jose Enrique Miraflores and Floribar Bautista, mayor of Malay town.

The VIP Tour in the US resumed after it was suspended for three years due to travel restrictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez.

The program, created jointly by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Department of Tourism, “has become a goodwill vehicle that allows the Philippine diplomatic community to be acquainted with and create awareness on the culture, heritage and history of our country,” noted Rajah Tours.

Started in 2005, the program has “generated an estimated $11.6-million foreign exchange receipts to the country,” it added, which benefited both well-known and small-time tourism establishments.