Government urged to turn disputed island into tourist spot

AMID the ongoing territorial dispute with China, a lawmaker wants Pag-asa Island, which is part of the Spratly Islands group, to be turned into a Philippine tourist spot.

Cagayan de Oro Representative Rufus Rodriguez made the proposal during Tuesday’s House plenary deliberations on the proposed budget of the Department of Tourism (DOT) for next year.

The Pag-asa Island lies 527 kilometers (285 nautical miles) west of Palawan. A boat trip to the island could take the entire day, depending on the sea condition.

Over the weekend, the Chinese state media reported that Sanya City, a tourist destination in the Chinese province of Hainan, is planning to expand its cruise route to include Nansha or the Spratly Islands group and Zhongsha or the Macclesfield Bank. This proposal is under a 10-year tourism development plan.

“I was encouraged because in the papers, it was reported that China is making it (Spratlys) a tourist destination. We should not be defeated. Let’s develop Pag-asa. We have a school there. There is an airport,” Rodriguez said.

Spratly Islands is one the areas in the West Philippines Sea being claimed by China and other Southeast Asian countries.

“Let’s take a slice of the DOT budget to put up a good airport and build a good port. Put up a hotel, and develop our frontier in our area as a tourist destination,” he added.

Rodriguez also pledged P1 million of his priority development assistance fund (PDAF) or pork barrel to develop the Pag-asa Island. He said his brother, Abante Mindanao party-list Representative Maximo Rodriguez, is also willing to contribute P1 million from his PDAF.

“The seas there are very pristine, the island is untouched. We can absolutely do that. We are not possessing another island. That’s already our possession,” Rodriguez said.

The Philippine government has been in control of the Pag-asa Island since the time of the late President Ferdinand Marcos.

Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez said the Executive department is yet to discuss Rodriguez’s proposal.

“The area in question is now under direct control of the President of the Philippines. We will take our cue from him. Any motion in that area we should consult with our president first,” Jimenez told reporters. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2012/09/11/government-urged-turn-disputed-island-tourist-spot-242223

Residents of Manila and Angeles City Pampanga are looking for a safe and convenient place to celebrate special occasions or take a shot vacation in the Philippines.  Many travel north to Clark to swim at Clearwater Beach Resort which also has lake and picnic grounds to unwind and relax, a very good way to spend quality time with the family and children.  Fine dining Yats Restaurant offers sumptuous cozy Christmas dinner, for wine lovers, Clark Wine Center provides exciting shopping options.

Clark Philippines also known as Clark Freeport Zone is now the preferred destination for foreign and local investments because it offers many attractive advantages including tax, safety and its own international airport

Where to go in Clark? Hotel Clark Philippines is a De Luxe Hotel in Clark and Subic, a risk free place to stay, cozy and nice ambience, a nice function place for special occasion

You might want to check also the Yats Restaurant is the best restaurant for special dinner, best restaurant for dinner with friends near Manila, also the best place to celebrate special events.

Famous Restaurant in Pampanga, a place to dine with friends in Clark, cozy restaurant with a nice ambience, a nice function place for special occasions.  Yats Restaurant is one of the good restaurants in Pampanga, a restaurant with good food, a place that is nice for celebration, ideal for business dinner meeting, a good place to enjoy family reunion, and an attractive restaurant that serves good wines for dinner.

Are you looking for an attractive restaurant or a nice place to eat with friends in Clark, Angeles City Pampanga? Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar is a restaurant with good food and good wines  for dinner located at Clark Angeles City Pampanga. Perfect for exclusive dinner venues for groups, recommended for private dinner in Philippines. A Restaurant in Clark for business dinner meeting. Private dinner place or dinner restaurant in Clark Subic Near Manila Angeles City Pampanga. Yats Restaurant is one of the Good Restaurant in Pampanga Angeles City Clark near Manila.

The advantages for making the move from a country like UK, USA, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia for example, to a country like Philippines are enormous.  Heavily in your favor are factors like asset values differentials and substantial reduction in cost of living.  Selling off your home probably gives you enough capital to not only live comfortably in a bigger property in Philippines but also to re-establish yourself in the business community by starting a business here too.

Looking for a party venue in town?

Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the ideal venues for birthday party because it is a risk free venue. Not only Birthday Parties but also a good place to enjoy family reunion. A good place to celebrate special occasions. Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the resorts in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga or near Manila with activity amenities, place that are nice for celebration.

This web site contains articles and information that will be helpful to visitors, residents and tourists traveling out of town from Manila on a short getaway to Subic, Angeles City, Pampanga and Clark Philippines.  There are several web sites that contain information that might also be pertinent to what is happening in North Luzon, Subic, Tarlac, Pampanga, Clark Freeport Philippines.

Looking for interesting hotels near Manila Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga?

Trouble free hotels and well recognized hotels in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga

Clearwater Resort and Country Club offers a good place to stay in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga. In offers nice place to have rest in Subic Pampanga outside Manila.

One of the Philippines top hotels in north Luzon.

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

For assistance with lodgings, accommodations, hotels and resorts near Manila in Subic, Pampanga, Angels City and Clark Philippines log on to <a href=”http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com”>http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com</a>

While in Clark, one might as well add to the itinerary a visit to the famous Clark Wine Center, the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.

<a href=”http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com”>http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com</a>