Tourism takes limelight at Phl-Spain friendship day

BALER, Philippines - Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez on Monday vowed to further improve the country's tourism industry to help the present administration in ensuring the economic growth will trickle down to the people.

"We believe that tourism is the shortest path to inclusive growth," said Jimenez, who was guest of honor at the 12th Philippines-Spain Friendship Day celebration in Baler, Aurora.

Jimenez noted that tourism provides jobs, spurs business and connects many industries. 

"We believe its contribution to achieving key advances in our economic goals for it is truly the business of the people," he said in a speech delivered before local officials led by Gov. Gerardo Noveras and Aurora Rep. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo.

Jimenez said the Aquino administration  is "determined to help deepen the entire nation’s remembrance of Baler’s incredible journey and our support goes beyond the growing list of infrastructure projects to link Aurora with the rest of the country."

Also present were Spain charge de Affaires Ignacio Perez-Cambra, former Sen. Edgardo Angara and his son, Sen. Sonny Angara and representatives from the National Museum, National Historical Commission of the Philippines, members of the academe and local officials including Baler Mayor Neliano Bihasa.

The elder Angara was author of the law that mandated the annual celebration of the Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day.

Angara also took pride that the increased infrastructure and  roads leading to the province have increased tourism arrival.

Angara said the tourists reached as much as 380,000 from January to June this year. 

He cited the accessibility of roads as well as the popularity of Baler's waves for surfing among local and foreign aficionados as reason for the sharp increase in tourism arrivals.

On the national level, Jimenez said the Department of Tourism (DOT) aims to get millions more international tourists in 2016 and generate over 6.8 million jobs or what will be about 17 percent of national employment. 

As far as domestic tourism goals, Jimenez said the DOT targets have been revised twice.

"Ever since our original target of 35 million domestic travelers was breached in just 2012, our next new target, according to my Boss, is 56 million by 2016," he said, referring to President Aquino.

Jimenez also paid tribute to the Filipino soldiers who fought during the seige of Baler about 115 years ago. It took 100 days for the Spanish soldiers holed up in Baler before they gave up to authorities then.

"Today, we see that the Philippines and Spain have come together again as partners and allies in the road to the future in a very special way. As you say in your country, “amigos para syiempre” (friends for life)," he said.

"Baler has great memories from the past. Stories of heroism, perseverance, resilience and spiritual strength. You only have to go up to the mountains, the hillsides and the shores of Baler to realize that is it a primary example of a Philippines as a survivor," Jimenez noted.

For his part, Cambra said there is a need to strengthen partnership to help each other in times of disasters after super typhoon Yolanda and the big quake in Bohol.

"This long standing partnership in the fight against the devastating effects of natural disaster will continue in the coming years," said Cambra, who also cited the increase in bilateral relations between the two countries in recent years.