Phl bags int’l award for disaster recovery

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines has won international recognition for successfully bouncing back from the devastation of typhoon “Pablo” in December 2012.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) announced yesterday that the Philippines received the New Frontiers Award 2013 at this year’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM).

“This award highlights the sheer resilience of our people and the resolve of all stakeholders to fast-track recovery. Despite these crises, we remain undaunted and focused in showing our visitors that we are worth visiting,” Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. said in a statement.

Jimenez said the Filipinos’ bayanihan spirit, magnified during crisis, is a unique social phenomenon that will drive Filipinos to remain steadfast and dependent on each other for strength, through good times and bad.

DOT Assistant Secretary Benito Bengzon Jr., who led the Philippine delegation to ATM, received the crystal trophy from Mark Walsh, portfolio director of Reed Travel Exhibitions.

The trophy came along with free exhibition space at the ATM worth $10,000.

Bengzon said the award is in recognition of the continuing efforts to rebuild infrastructure and the tourism economy after Pablo (international name Bopha) wrought havoc in the country in December 2012.

The disaster was deemed the world’s deadliest last year, leaving millions homeless, with infrastructure and agricultural farms vastly damaged.

“The Philippine government, under the administration of President Aquino, and the DOT have worked hand-in-hand to establish tourism as a major generator of income for the people and the country. At times of adversity such as this, the determined spirit of our countrymen, supported by assistance from the international community, shines through and it is this same spirit that is driving our tourism industry forward,” Bengzon said.

The New Frontiers Award is given to destinations that have surmounted great adversity to rebound its tourism industries.

The a ward also gives tribute to the resilience of local communities to rebuild their lives, as well as bring attention to the crisis management and risk reduction practices of local authorities.

The Philippines was short-listed along with New York (Hurricane Sandy) and Pakistan (2012 floods).

“The Philippines, its government and its people, has shown remarkable fortitude and a stoic determination to get both communities and the local economy back on track following the devastation wreaked by typhoon Bopha late last year, and their resilience in the face of such a monumental crisis is commendable,” Mark Walsh said.

P1.9 B for Pablo victims

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) yesterday said a total of P1.9 billion has so far been spent for relief operations to help victims of Pablo in Mindanao.

Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman said the amount came from the DSWD, World Food Programme, non-government organizations, and local government units.

Soliman said the recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey results on hunger and poverty in the country validated their thrust in Mindanao.

“We continue to provide assistance to 233,000 plus families affected in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley, and this is going on until the end of June. We have also started our cash for work program,” she said. – With Rainier Allan Ronda