NOW SAYS GRAB PROJECT INCLUDES PRO TOUR GUIDES

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo @akosistellaBM

Special to the BusinessMirror

THE Department of Tourism (DOT) appears to have backtracked on earlier announced plans of using a ride-hailing app’s partner-drivers as tour guides.

A fter tourism stakeholders loudly protested and took the DOT to task about its project with Grab Philippines, the agency now says tourists will be able to “book a tour guide directly” using the app.

I n a news statement issued late Thursday, DOT-National Capital Region (NCR) Director Sharlene Zabala-Batin said the GrabTours Manila project

“will offer tourist transportation” from three DOT-accredited accommodation establishments, namely, Sheraton Manila Bay, Okada Manila, and Solaire Resort and Casino. Their destinations will initially cover two major tourist zones in Manila: Intramuros and Binondo. The DOT didn’t say, however, if it will be accrediting Grab vehicles as tourist transport services.

Hastily-called consultations

SOURCES among the tour guides associations said the DOT hastily called them to a consultation on June 9, after notifying them the late afternoon before, so they could listen to a presentation by Grab representatives.

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R.

Marcos Jr. has vowed to eliminate the root causes of “unfreedom” through “wise policies and reforms” under his administration.

I n his speech at the 125th Anniversary of the Philippine Independence at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila last Monday, Marcos said the continued existence of poverty, inadequate economic opportunities, inequality and apathy prevent many Filipinos from truly enjoying the “blessing of independence and democracy.”

“ We will strive to remove the ‘unfreedoms.’ We will aim to feed the hungry, free the bound and banish poverty. These are primordial, moral and existential imperatives that laid upon your government,” Marcos said.

H e noted his administration has already laid down the groundwork to implement the necessary reforms to address such issues through the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.

Uphill road

HOWEVER , he stressed the important role of each Filipino in the “long uphill road” in the implementation of the said plan.

“But as integral actors in our democracy, we are all involved in this collective pursuit of real freedoms. That duty rests with all of us. So once again, I appeal for unity, and solidarity in our efforts to protect our hardfought freedom and achieve genuine national progress,” Marcos said.