FILE PHOTO: Coron in Palawan province is popular among tourists for its rock formations, white sand beaches and rich marine life. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the drafting of an executive order (EO) for the immediate implementation of “nomad visas” without tax incentives, according to the Private Sector Advisory Council for Tourism (PSAC-Tourism). (LYN RILLON / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the drafting of an executive order (EO) for the immediate implementation of “nomad visas” without tax incentives.
The Private Sector Advisory Council for Tourism (PSAC-Tourism) disclosed this information on Friday, following its recommendation for the issuance of the EO “which can be added once a related bill is passed.”
“[President Marcos] supports this interim solution and has directed the Office of the Executive Secretary to draft the EO and select a pilot country for the initiative,” PSAC-Tourism said in a statement.
READ: Bill hopes ‘digital nomad visa’ clicks as tourism draw
According to PSAC-Tourism official Lucio Tan III, issuing nomad visas would attract long-term foreign visitors.
“We need to issue nomad visas quickly to attract long-stay tourists. Other countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia are already benefiting from this approach,” he said.
PSAC-Tourism also said it eyes to expedite industry-specific training programs “to equip individuals with the skills needed for immediate employment in tourism-related jobs” as part of the government’s efforts in further developing the tourism industry.
“Eighty percent of our tourism workforce holds Tesda (Technical Education And Skills Development Authority) certifications. We should build on this by further increasing these certifications, with the private sector identifying the specific skills required,” Filinvest Development Corp. president Joji Yap said.
READ: ‘Beautiful gift’: How Croatia is luring digital nomads
Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) chair Prospero de Vera III, on the other hand, elaborated on the strategic approach to tourism and hospitality education.
“We have numerous institutions offering four-year degrees in Tourism and Hospitality Management. By allowing top schools to run these programs, we ensure quality and meet current needs. TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) certifications can now be credited towards these degrees, providing students with a flexible pathway,” he explained.
Marcos has said efforts to improve skills of workers in the tourism industry should be coordinated with the private sector, which “should guide us on the exact skills needed.”