NEWS ARTICLE

SUMMARY

PUBLICATION

 A traveler-friendly

 (photo) A traveler scheme at the North Luzon Expressway, now undergoing expansion, will keep tourists flocking to vacation spots in the North, says tourism Sec. Richard Gordon as he explains his plan during a presscon.

MS, p. 3

 Boracay tourism booming

 Tourist arrivals in Boracay continue to rise with local tourists outnumbering foreigners.  At the end of the first semester of last year, tourist arrivals to the island was already 76.3 percent of the total of the previous year.  

MS, p. 14

 Stiffer penalty for erring bus drivers eyed

  Metropolitan Manila Development authority (MMDA) chairman  Bayani F. Fernando announced the agency’s move to increase the penalties being imposed on drivers of the public utility  buses for violating traffic rules.

Tempo, p. 4

 Put off open skies pact – aviation groups

 Aviation group, Save Our Skies Movement, are pushing for a 15-year postponement of the RP-US open skies agreement  to enable the local airline industry to recover from the bleak world economy and the travel slack caused by Sept. 11, the SARS scare and the Iraq war.

Tonight, p. 5

 Japanese nabbed for illegal drugs

 A Japanese and his two female friends were arrested by operatives after a sachet of prohibited drugs were confiscated from then at the Jetty Port, Caticlan, on Saturday night. 

Tonight , p. 13

 Ate Glo’s spur of the moment government

(column by Boo Chanco) “Extra public holidays  really disrupt people’s lives.  Come to think of it, I thought Ate Glo is supportive of Dick Gordon’s holiday economics mumbo jumbo?  Isn’t that why we have these unscheduled public holiday? Moving the school opening to September will kill domestic tourism.  Who wants to travel in this country during the monsoon season?

PS, p. B-4

Bambanti festival 

 (photo) A woman and her daughter  watch Bambanti Festival participants dance their way to the Isabela provincial capitol grounds in Ilagan recently.  The colorful festival was one of the highlights of the celebration of the 147^th founding anniversary of Isabela. 

MB, p. G-2

 Palace evasive over cronnies’ buy-in of Piatco, defends Climaco

Malacanang yesterday neither confirmed nor denied reports that presidential cronies Lucio Tan, Enrique Razon and George Go are the buyers tapped to take over the Piatco contract from the majority shareholders, Vic Cheng Yong and his family. 

DT, p. 1

 SARS poses little risk to Asian business activity

The SARS  outbreak will pose little risk to Asian regional business activity in the long run but investors may be more cautious about putting their funds into China, a property group’s report said Tuesday.

PDI, p. B-8

 WHO asks RP to do exit checks

 The world Health organization has recommended exit screening for international travelers leaving Manila but is not suggesting the postponement of travel to the country.  The WHO has the same set of travel recommendations for Singapore and Toronto, Canada. 

PDI, p. 1

 Being In in Intramuros

 (by Chit Lijauco) “Emraced by the historical walls of old Intramuros, canopied by a million stars, plus fireworks at 9 o’clock. Between us girls, this is gonna be the latest craze in party trends when it is not the rainy season.  One such party the other week is the birthday celebration of Olongapo City Mayor Kate Gordon, lovely wife of Tourism Secretary and Father of Intramuros Dick Gordon.

MT, p. C-3