Marcos bats for shopping festivals, easier visa access to boost tourism 

PHILIPPINE President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Wednesday approved suggestions of his private sector advisors to a nationwide shopping festival and to ease visa access to foreigners, according to the Presidential Communications Office.

In a statement, the agency said the President greenlit the recommendations during Wednesday’s meeting with the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC).

PSAC was eyeing to launch a nationwide Shopping Festival Philippines ahead of the New Year holiday to incentivize foreign visitors to spend more and to ultimately boost tourism revenue.

“We’ve talked about this shopping festival. Again, I think it’s properly categorized as an easy win. So, we’ll do that,” Mr. Marcos said.

The President on Monday signed into law a measure allowing foreign tourists to claim value-added tax for goods worth at least P3,000 and were taken out of the country within 60 days of purchase.

The measure is seen to boost tourist spending by at least 30% and benefit mostly micro, small, and medium enterprises.

PSAC had also suggested to make it easier for those with American, Japanese, Canadian, Schengen, Singapore, or United Kingdom visas to visit the country.

“I think we should stop messing around with this system. It’s so clear already. And again, it’s something that we don’t have to pilot because it has been done for us in many, many airports,” the President said. – John Victor D. Ordoñez