By Sonny Angara On March 1, 2023, the Senate Tourism Subcommittee on Select Senate Bills on Ecotourism and on the Proposed Senate Resolution on Nature-Based Tourism held a hearing to discuss various measures and, ultimately, to find solutions and initiatives to advance the domestic tourism industry’s recovery while instilling eco-consciousness amid the country’s upcoming summer …
Better Days
Systemic solutions
By Sonny Angara Recent surveys by Pulse Asia and the Social Weather Stations found that a majority of Filipinos were ready to face the new year with optimism and hope. Unfortunately, for many of our countrymen, the new year came with several challenges. Two in particular come to mind. First were the floods and landslides …
Enriching Filipino heritage through inclusive legislation
By Sonny Angara On March 26, 2010, Republic Act 10066 or the National Cultural Heritage Act was enacted to boost our country’s efforts in preserving our cultural treasures. My father, the former Senate President Ed Angara, who was the principal author of the law in the Senate, said the law was not only a serious …
Taking Philippine-Spanish relations to new heights
By Sonny Angara This year, we mark the 21st Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day (Phil-Span). By virtue of Republic Act 9187, we commemorate the cultural and historical ties, friendship and cooperation between the Philippines and Spain on June 30 of each year. This was one of the legacies of my father, former Senator Ed Angara, who saw the …
Counterbalancing disinformation
By Sonny Angara Over the past few decades we have seen an exponential growth in the use of technology and along with it, the amount of information that is being made available at the fingertips of people. A while back, the amount of content an individual can consume was dependent on his or her capability …
A strategy for inclusive growth and prosperity
By Sonny Angara The Senate Committee on Finance, of which I am chairman, recently concluded its deliberations on Senate Bill No. 2426 or the proposed Tatak Pinoy (Proudly Filipino) Act which aims to develop a strategy to encourage, support and promote the production of more diverse, sophisticated, high quality and globally competitive Philippine products and services. …
Showcasing PH history, culture through art at Venice Biennale
By Sonny Angara For the fifth straight time, the Philippines is taking part in the La Biennale Di Venezia or the Venice Biennale. Now in its 60th year, the Venice Biennale is arguably the most prestigious and famous international art festival. A total of 88 nations will take part in the 2024 festival, including new …
Unleashing the potential of Philippine exports
By Sonny Angara During the recently-concluded International Trade Forum held in Taguig City, the Marcos Administration unveiled its Philippine Export Development Plan 2023 to 2028 (PEDP), a comprehensive strategy on how to grow our exports and make it at par with our neighboring countries and even the rest of the world. In launching the PEDP, …
The heart and soul of education
By Sonny Angara Almost all of us are aware of the myriad of problems our education system is facing. Filipino students rank among the lowest in the world when it comes to reading comprehension, math and science. There is no question that we are faced with a learning crisis that if left unchecked could result …
Unleashing the full potential of tourism as a driver of growth
By Sonny Angara Since the economy opened up after the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism has been a key contributor to the growth of the Philippine economy. Based on official data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, tourism made up 6.2 percent of the economy as measured by gross domestic product. The tourism sector is also an important …