PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday said the government is committed to elevating the Philippines as the premier destination for tourism, relaxation, and entertainment, in line with the Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines) vision.

In his speech during the inauguration of the Solaire Resort North in Bagong Pag-asa, Quezon City, Marcos highlighted that the Philippine tourism and hospitality industry has made an “impressive recovery” after the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We have slowly started to witness how hotels, restaurants, recreational amenities and tourist spots have slowly but surely risen to the challenge of travel resurgence, welcoming 5.45 million inbound tourists in 2023. This is more than double the 2.65 million visitors recorded in 2022,” Marcos said.

Marcos said it is the government’s goal to “let the entire world know that the Philippines is open for tourism, for business” following its pandemic recovery.

He said the Solaire brand, which is owned and operated by Bloomberry Resorts Corporation (BRC), will help make the Philippines’ “unique brand of hospitality” known worldwide.

“I am certain that Solaire Resort North is with us in our desire to capitalize in this strength further to improve our position in the global hospitality sector. It is truly a bold and ambitious move to make the Philippines the perfect destination for tourism, relaxation and entertainment,” Marcos said.

“I hope that you all would continue to work with us in making each visit to us a safe, rewarding, and memorable experience. Help us in making this goal the center of efforts in building a Bagong Pilipinas that we dream of,” he added.

Marcos said the Solaire brand has redefined the resort stay experience here in the Philippines by setting a “new benchmark” for luxury, entertainment, comfort and service.

“Its first development, the Solaire Resort Entertainment City, already set the standard for quality and innovation in providing tourism and hospitality services to its guests from around the country and all over the world,” he said, referring to the first branch in Parañaque City.

He said its second integrated resort, Solaire Resort North, will further raise the country’s image on the international stage.

“So as we open the doors of Solaire Resort North, let us open the arms to the world, inviting them to experience the warmth and beauty of our country and Solaire Resort North will certainly play a very, very big part in that. Let us show them that we are ready to embrace the opportunities they offer to us and I am confident the world is also ready to embrace us back,” he said.

The President said the gaming industry has provided jobs to Filipinos and contributed to social development, employing about 100,000 Filipinos in 2019, supporting various roles in casino operations.

Included under the law’s accounting framework is the list of officially designated statistics on the depletion, degradation, and restoration of natural capital; environmental protection expenditures; pollution and quality of land, air and water; and environmental damage.

The law is expected to support the government’s economic, environmental and health policy development and decision-making. It will also help provide tools and measures that contribute to the protection, conservation and restoration of the country’s ecosystems.

To ensure effective implementation of the law, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Board has been tasked to oversee its implementation, directing a relevant interagency committee to assist the body in addressing agency and sectoral concerns that may arise in the development of natural capital accounts.

Under the law, the PSA is ordered to constitute an interagency working group to issue the rules and regulations necessary for the effective implementation of PENCAS within one year from its effectivity.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) will assist the PSA in the generation and provision of the National Capital Accounting (NCA) information related to agricultural areas, and fisheries aquatic resources.

The DA will also closely coordinate with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) with regards to associated ecosystems.

Also playing important roles in the implementation of PENCAS are the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Education (DepEd), the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Department of Finance. Philippine News Agency