Pinoy Homecoming: A US roadshow effort by the DOTWith President Benigno S. Aquino III’s issuance of Proclamation 181 (declaring 2011-2016 as “Pinoy Homecoming Years”), the Department of Tourism (DOT), in cooperation with the Philippine Consulate General, is currently holding a roadshow across America to encourage Filipinos in America to travel back home and help the DOT achieve its goal of 6 million tourist arrivals per year by 2016.
Last week, DOT Secretary Alberto Lim and several officials from the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives were in New York for a consultative meeting with various community leaders. Legislators from the Philippines in attendance were Senators Franklin Drilon and Pia Cayetano were joined by Representatives Florencio Miraflores (Aklan), Joaquin Carlos Nava (Guimaras) and Edgardo San Luis (Laguna). The road show began in Chicago with New York, Toronto, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Francisco as other cities of destination.
On the Las Vegas leg of the trip, which was held on Monday, June 27, Sec. Lim and his accompanying legislators were in town for the same purpose. However, Sen. Franklin Drilon seemed more enthused because of the larger number of attendees.
“This is the biggest gathering and the most enthusiastic. It is my hope that one day you will return home to find what you have been looking for. I am deeply moved by your deep allegiance to the homeland. Indeed, we miss you all back home. We want you reunited with your families and friends. In 2009, only 3 out of 10 Filipinos who reside abroad visited the Philippines. Last year, just over 600,000 Filipino balikbayans came to visit the country. I would like to assure you that you are in the heart of our national policies. Hence, the years 2011-2016 have been declared as Pinoy Homecoming Years. Indeed, you are the core of these policies. Back home, when we say that overseas Filipinos are our modern heroes, we mean every word of it. No less than $17 billion dollars was remitted last year and it kept our economy afloat,” Drilon said.
Meanwhile, Sec. Lim had this message for the Filipino community: “My job is to bring as many visitors as possible to the Philippines. The opportunity market is you, the Fil-Ams, because you are already pre-disposed to come home. But maybe not your children or grandchildren. They don’t have the same loving feeling that you do and we would like to spread that feeling to the younger generations. Proclamation 181 became our marching order to go on this roadshow and talk to you to bring your relatives, office mates to come home to the Philippines. Let us spread the good word. I will deal with something more fundamental, I want to reintroduce you to the things in the Philippines that may have changed but have retained their essence.”
Lorenzo Formoso, COO of Duty Free Philippines also attended the event. He is one of the pioneers of Duty Free Philippines and was behind the successful campaign, “Babalik Ka Rin.”
“I’m so proud to be here to present to you the Balikbayan Plus Program of Duty Free. In 1989, the Balikbayan Program was enacted to law under the administration of then President Corazon Aquino,” he said.
He defined balikbayans as Filipinos who are continuously out of the Philippines after more than one year which include Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and former Filipino nationals who have become naturalized in the country they’ve immigrated to, including their families.
Some of the benefits of the Balikbayan Plus Program include shopping privileges at Duty-Free shops for up to $2,000. There’s also the Kabuhayan Shopping Program for balikbayans. The purchase period has been extended from 7 to 15 days from date of arrival. During the Christmas season (beginning November 15 to January 15) purchase period will be 30 days from date of arrival. For senior citizens, it will be one year from date of arrival.
“Balikbayan Plus Cards are issued to identify the balikbayans and for them to get their privileges from participating establishments. We tied up with establishments catering to balikbayans which give discounts and incentives packages. We have beauty and wellness centers, hotels and restaurants, air, land and sea transportation, among others. Visit www.dfp.com.ph where you will see all the participating establishments,” he informed.
“We are also implementing new privileges this year. The Balikbayan Plus program is now integrated to the DOT’s Pinoy Homecoming program. The Balikbayan Plus Card will be giving two supplemental cards for your family members. We will also be giving shopping discounts for all Balikbayan Plus card holders.”
“Before the end of the year, we will also relaunch the Kabuhayan Shopping Livelihood Program. We will be selling livelihood tools and equipment. For minimum purchases, you will be given free training vouchers. We tied up with training institutes like TLRC and TESDA for people who want to set up their own business.”
“Lastly, we are setting up what we call a Balikbayan/OFW Center, about a hundred square meters which will house representatives from government processing offices like OWWA, NBI, LTO, SSS and other service establishments such as airline representatives, package forwarding services and others,” Formoso said in conclusion.
(AJPress with reports from Momar G. Visaya) (www.asianjournal.com)
Last week, DOT Secretary Alberto Lim and several officials from the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives were in New York for a consultative meeting with various community leaders. Legislators from the Philippines in attendance were Senators Franklin Drilon and Pia Cayetano were joined by Representatives Florencio Miraflores (Aklan), Joaquin Carlos Nava (Guimaras) and Edgardo San Luis (Laguna). The road show began in Chicago with New York, Toronto, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Francisco as other cities of destination.
On the Las Vegas leg of the trip, which was held on Monday, June 27, Sec. Lim and his accompanying legislators were in town for the same purpose. However, Sen. Franklin Drilon seemed more enthused because of the larger number of attendees.
“This is the biggest gathering and the most enthusiastic. It is my hope that one day you will return home to find what you have been looking for. I am deeply moved by your deep allegiance to the homeland. Indeed, we miss you all back home. We want you reunited with your families and friends. In 2009, only 3 out of 10 Filipinos who reside abroad visited the Philippines. Last year, just over 600,000 Filipino balikbayans came to visit the country. I would like to assure you that you are in the heart of our national policies. Hence, the years 2011-2016 have been declared as Pinoy Homecoming Years. Indeed, you are the core of these policies. Back home, when we say that overseas Filipinos are our modern heroes, we mean every word of it. No less than $17 billion dollars was remitted last year and it kept our economy afloat,” Drilon said.
Meanwhile, Sec. Lim had this message for the Filipino community: “My job is to bring as many visitors as possible to the Philippines. The opportunity market is you, the Fil-Ams, because you are already pre-disposed to come home. But maybe not your children or grandchildren. They don’t have the same loving feeling that you do and we would like to spread that feeling to the younger generations. Proclamation 181 became our marching order to go on this roadshow and talk to you to bring your relatives, office mates to come home to the Philippines. Let us spread the good word. I will deal with something more fundamental, I want to reintroduce you to the things in the Philippines that may have changed but have retained their essence.”
Lorenzo Formoso, COO of Duty Free Philippines also attended the event. He is one of the pioneers of Duty Free Philippines and was behind the successful campaign, “Babalik Ka Rin.”
“I’m so proud to be here to present to you the Balikbayan Plus Program of Duty Free. In 1989, the Balikbayan Program was enacted to law under the administration of then President Corazon Aquino,” he said.
He defined balikbayans as Filipinos who are continuously out of the Philippines after more than one year which include Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and former Filipino nationals who have become naturalized in the country they’ve immigrated to, including their families.
Some of the benefits of the Balikbayan Plus Program include shopping privileges at Duty-Free shops for up to $2,000. There’s also the Kabuhayan Shopping Program for balikbayans. The purchase period has been extended from 7 to 15 days from date of arrival. During the Christmas season (beginning November 15 to January 15) purchase period will be 30 days from date of arrival. For senior citizens, it will be one year from date of arrival.
“Balikbayan Plus Cards are issued to identify the balikbayans and for them to get their privileges from participating establishments. We tied up with establishments catering to balikbayans which give discounts and incentives packages. We have beauty and wellness centers, hotels and restaurants, air, land and sea transportation, among others. Visit www.dfp.com.ph where you will see all the participating establishments,” he informed.
“We are also implementing new privileges this year. The Balikbayan Plus program is now integrated to the DOT’s Pinoy Homecoming program. The Balikbayan Plus Card will be giving two supplemental cards for your family members. We will also be giving shopping discounts for all Balikbayan Plus card holders.”
“Before the end of the year, we will also relaunch the Kabuhayan Shopping Livelihood Program. We will be selling livelihood tools and equipment. For minimum purchases, you will be given free training vouchers. We tied up with training institutes like TLRC and TESDA for people who want to set up their own business.”
“Lastly, we are setting up what we call a Balikbayan/OFW Center, about a hundred square meters which will house representatives from government processing offices like OWWA, NBI, LTO, SSS and other service establishments such as airline representatives, package forwarding services and others,” Formoso said in conclusion.
(AJPress with reports from Momar G. Visaya) (www.asianjournal.com)
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