1

Pagbabagong Sama-Samang Balikatin JUNE 12, 2017 2

CHAIRMAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani Dr. Khalid Al-Shafi

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR SUPPLEMENT COORDINATOR PRODUCTION TYPESETTING ADVERTISING CONTRIBUTORS Mohammed Salim Mohamed Renu Malhotra Viswanath Sarma Sebastian TK Moinuddin Pasha Deepak John Muhammad Shammas ADVERTISING MANAGER DESIGN IMAGE PROCESSING Reji Thattil Ali Wahba Abraham Augusthy Mohd Sajad Sahir Rocela Bautista Savio Fernandes SP Singh 3 Ambassador’s message

n the occasion of the Day in , I wish to invite with the recent official visit of Pres- 119th Anniversary of the in Qatar to support our ident Duterte to Qatar which further Declaration of Philip- government in its quest to fight enhanced relations through the Opine Independence, it is corruption and to dispel polarity signing of key agreements which with great honor that we remember and misinformation. There can be aim to explore economic opportu- the heroic quest of our ancestors no moving forward for our country nities and prospects in our country. for freedom and democracy. And and its people if we will perpetuate Finally, as patriots of our coun- as we celebrate their heroism, let the culture of entitlement for a se- try, let us take this opportunity to us continue to live with pride and lect few. Progress should be shared contribute to our country’s growth dignity worthy of this great heritage. across all sectors of society and ba- and development by doing well in This year’s theme, “Pagbaba- sic services should be afforded to our respective fields and living up gong Sama-Samang Balikatin”, the marginalized sectors. to the best of our abilities. I urge embodies President Rodrigo Du- and the State of all of you to continue to uphold the terte’s commitment to uplift the life Qatar have always enjoyed friendly best standards of professionalism country’s flag, and to support and and dignity of Filipinos by imple- and cooperative relations, which and work ethics so that you may, in rely on one another as a strong and menting reforms that will ensure are anchored on the principles of your own small way, represent the united Filipino community in Qatar. the safety of the public and improve mutual trust, respect and under- best of what your country can offer. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! public services. standing. Political and economic As our community continues As I mark my first year of cel- ties between the Philippines and to grow each year, let us continue Alan L Timbayan ebrating Philippine Independence Qatar are on the upswing, especially to unite under the banner of our Ambassador

CHAIRMAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani Dr. Khalid Al-Shafi

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR ADVERTISING MANAGER ADVERTISING COORDINATOR DESIGN PRODUCTION Mohammed Salim Mohamed Ali Wahba Rocel Bautista Abraham Augusthy Viswanath Sarma 4

LEFT: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte at the Emiri Diwan on April 16, 2017. TOP: The Emir with President Duterte after inspecting the guard of honour.

Department of Foreign Affairs (Kagawaran ng Ugnayang Panlabas) Message of Secretary of Foreign Affairs

s we celebrate the 119th year of the dec- us show the world that we are friends to all laration of Philippine independence, we and enemy to none. remember the courage and struggle, the The men and women of the Department Aselfless sacrifice and heroism of our fel- of Foreign Affairs urges us all to join hands low Filipinos who fought for our freedom. and help the President accomplish his task by Filipinos are very spiritual people who be- reigniting our passion to serve and commit- lieve that man was created equal with basic ment to build relationships. rights. It is in this spirit that our ancestors sac- Let us also remember the more than ten mil- rificed their lives and their livelihood to secure lion Filipinos living and working abroad who independence for the Philippines. work hard to liberate their families from hard- Today, we renew our hope and commitment ship and give them better opportunities in life. to ensure that the sacrifices of our ancestors will The global Filipino indomitable spirit and char- not be wasted. We continue to value the sanctity acter continue to make a difference wherever of freedom and the spirit of democracy. they are in the world. The President and his Administration are As a nation, we Filipinos on bended knees now working hard for us to continue our fight implore the aid of Almighty God to guide us to for independence, albeit - a different kind of maintain a just and humane society especially independence: Freedom from poverty, freedom international. That is why President Rodrigo amidst the threats of international terrorism and from crime, freedom from illegal drugs and free- Roa Duterte continues to implement the con- transnational crimes. At the same time we stand dom from corruption. stitutional mandate for an independent foreign tall as Filipinos as the Philippines is a responsi- The President vowed to achieve this vision policy: To build more bridges; to strengthen ble and respected member of the community for the next generation of Filipino. We are com- old valued partnerships and at the same time of nations. mitted to end these perennial problems of society strenghthen new relationships and build new Mabuhay ang Kalayaan at ang Sambayanang which have challenged our quest for law and partnerships. Pilipino! order, and have threatened peace and security The DFA will build, bridge, and build. So in every Filipino community. that the economic and infrastructure clusters ALAN PETER SCHRAMM CAYETANO And this effort is not only national but of the Cabinet can Build Build and Build! Let Secretary of Foreign Affairs 5 6

Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and President Rodrigo Roa Duterte exchange pleasantries before the start of bilateral meeting at Emiri Diwan on April 16, 2017. RIGHT: The Emir and President Duterte witness the signing of agreements between Acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdurrahman Al Thani. Duterte’s visit boosts Philippines-Qatar relations

hilippine President Rod- and dissemination of research and rigo Roa Duterte visited study materials. , Qatar from April 14 Another important highlight of Pto 16, 2017 as part of his the visit was the Filipino commu- 6-day official visit to the GCC coun- nity meeting with President Duterte tries - , Bahrain, and on April 15, 2017 which was held at Qatar. Diplomatic relations between the Lusail Sports Arena. The Filipino the Philippines and Qatar were es- community meeting was attended tablished on May 5, 1981. This is the by more than 7,000 Filipinos in third visit of a Philippine head of state Qatar, the largest ever gathering of to Qatar and he was accompanied a Filipinos in the country. This number 137-member delegation composed Members of the Qatar Chamber and local business community who represents the popular vote of the of key members of his cabinet and attended the business forum pose with President Duterte. President who garnered 79% of the Philippine government officials. total overseas votes in Qatar during During his visit, President Du- making, focuses mainly on areas of a “PH-Qatar Year of Culture” which the 2016 presidential elections. The terte witnessed the signing of four research in health care, exchanges will provide a great opportunity for event also featured a colorful pre- (4) agreements — MOA on the Re- of expertise and professionals, as the aggressive promotion of Philip- event entertainment show which ciprocal Promotion and Protection well as engaging the support for pine arts, culture, and tourism in showcased Filipino talents in Qatar. of Investments, MOU on Coopera- joint activities with international Qatar for an entire year. As of May 2016, there are 222,712 tion in the field of Culture, MOU on health organisations. The cooperation in the field Filipinos with valid working visas in Cooperation in the field of Health, As part of its cultural diplo- of technical vocational educa- Qatar. The Filipino community is the and MOU on Cooperation in the macy thrust, with the recently tion and training aims to facilitate 4th largest expatriate community in field of Technical Vocational Edu- signed MOU on Culture coopera- exchanges of professionals in tech- Qatar who are employed in the fields cation and Training. tion, the Philippine Embassy in nical areas and promote training of construction, oil and gas, hospital- The signing of the MOA on the Doha is looking at the prospect of through scholarships, exchanges, ity, and health care services. Reciprocal Promotion and Pro- tection of Investments provides LEFT: President Rodrigo the basic rights and guarantees to Roa Duterte delivers a investors which is one of the most message before a crowd important requirements by Qatar of Qatar-based overseas Filipino workers at the in any talks relating to investment Lusail Sports Arena promotion. With the signing of this in Lusail City. RIGHT: pact, which took 9 years to finalise, President Duterte sings we now have a more meaningful with a performer who investment protection and promo- sang one of his favourite tion agreement with Qatar. songs ‘Ikaw’ at the Lusail The MOU on Health coopera- Sports Arena. tion, which took 10 years in the 7 1 2017

Promotion valid from 12.06.2017 to 14.06.2017 or until stocks last.

Indomie Noodles Asstd QAR AR Pure Foods Corned BeefBe 20.0070gm X 20pcs

QAR 1919.5050 150gm X 4pcs Toblerone Mini Bag

QAR 20.00Chocolate 200gm X 2pcs

Golden Super Q Bihon QAR 8.00 QAR .50 500gm X 2pcs QAR 7.50 8 UFC Banana Sauce UFC Soy Sauce 1ltr 550gm X 2pcs + Vinegar 1ltr

QAR 15.00

Gatorade Energy Drink Asstd R Lulu Basil Seed Drink Afeefa Jasmine Rice 5kg QAR 11.50 500ml X 4pcs 290ml X 4pcs

QAR 9.50

Like us on: Facebook Like us on: Facebook

everyday new deals everyday new deals 10

Emir receives credentials of Philippine Ambassador

hilippine Ambassador to the State of Qatar, Alan Lim Timbayan, presented his Letters of Credence Pto H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, at the Emiri Diwan on March 27. The Emir expressed his appreciation for the contin- ued good relations between the Philippines and Qatar. He added that he knows of a large Filipino community in Qatar and expressed his gratitude for the continued good work that Filipinos have done for his country. He stated that Qatar appreciates the role that Filipinos have played in the effort to make Qatar become what it is today. His Highness also hoped that the Philippines and Qatar will be able to further improve the existing good relations and explore more avenues for cooperation. Ambassador Timbayan expressed his gratitude for the continued hospitality and support given to Filipinos in Qatar and affirmed that the Embassy will continue to work for the improvement of the bilateral ties between the countries to bring about more areas of enhanced Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani receives the credentials of Ambassador cooperation. Alan Lim Timbayan at the Emiri Diwan on March 27, 2017. PAL starts non-stop -Doha service

hilippine Airlines began to Another option is for passengers to operate non-stop flights enjoy the Capital City (Manila) before between Manila and Doha traveling to the top travel spots of the Pas part of the airline’s thrust country. Domestic flights to Caticlan to enhance its product offering to its will enable them to visit Boracay, one primary market on the route — the of the world’s best beaches. Manila– Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Basco (Batanes) flights will enable “The non-stop service will give us them to visit the picturesque virgin a better product to offer our market land of the northernmost point in the which comprises 230,000 Filipino Philippines. Manila-Puerto Princesa contract workers in Doha. Aside from (Palawan) flights will allow them ex- the convenience of this direct serv- perience the underground river cruise ice, passengers will get to experience and water rafting at the subterranean in-flight service with the Heart of the Filipino, tablet or smartphone. river national park. marked by warmth, care and hospitality,” said myPALWi-fi allows one to surf, browse and PAL’s Busuanga flights will lead passengers PAL President and COO Jaime J Bautista. keep in touch with loved ones and friends while to Coron, Palawan for some water sports such The Manila -Doha service, which com- on board the flight. Full-service inflight offer- as snorkeling and scuba diving and for the sheer menced on March 26, 2017, shall operate four ings include a selection of Asian, Continental and enjoyment of its lagoons and hotpsrings. They times weekly, every Monday, Wednesday, Friday Halal cuisine and a wide array of beverages. Each can hie off to the Pearl Farm or to Samal Island’s and Sunday. PR 684 departs Manila at 1:30pm passenger is entitled to free baggage allowance beaches via PAL’s Davao flights and experience and arrives in Doha at 6pm local time; PR 685 of two pieces, weighing not more than 23 kilos the resorts and beaches of the Queen City of the leaves Doha at 8pm local time and touches down each. If a passenger is continuing onto a final South via PAL’s Cebu flights. in Manila at 10am. The fleet for the route will be destination beyond Doha, the same free baggage Travelers to Doha, in the meantime, can visit the 414-seater Airbus A330 with economy and allowance applies. In addition, PAL’s’ mileage top travel spots such as the Museum of Islamic premium economy from March 26 to July 14. The program enables passengers to burn and earn Arts, the Souq Waqif, the Pearl Qatar, an artifi- bi-class A330, with full-flat beds on business miles for use for future flights. cial island spanning nearly four million square class, will be utilised starting July 15. With the non-stop operations to Manila, meters and the Doha Corniche, a water front Passengers will also have the option to en- travellers from the Middle East will now have a promenade along Doha Bay. joy wireless In-flight Entertainment by simply direct gateway to the Philippines. Upon arriving The city of Doha has a huge number of expa- downloading the myPAL Player app for free in in Manila, passengers may conveniently connect triates including Filipinos, who are considered order to stream a wide selection of movies, TV to other international and Philippine domestic to have a very good command of the English shows and music from their personal laptop, destinations. language and excellent work ethics. 11

Now is the best time to invest in Philippines: PEZA Director-General

hilippine Economic Zone can help decongest vehicular Authority (PEZA) Director- Other than its strategic location which makes it traffic in the Philippines; and PGeneral Charito Plaza, with agri- and aqua-culture business, representatives from the Mindanao a gateway to the larger ASEAN and East Asian among others. Development Authority and Zam- (China, Japan, Korea) markets, the Philippines’ most In January this year, Loayon boanga City Special Economic Zone comparative advantage is having its best, talented, invited a group of officials from Authority and Freeport, encouraged and skilled people. the Department of Transportation 60 local investors and businessmen (DOTr) and business delegation in Qatar to invest in the Philippines from the Philippines to discuss during an investment conference East Asian (China, Japan, Korea) rate of Filipinos. She also said that possible partnerships in cable held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Doha markets, the Philippines’ most Filipinos are known to hold long ten- cars as a solution to help ease traf- on February 16. comparative advantage is having ures in their respective companies. fic congestion in Cebu City. “The Philippines has now its best, talented, and skilled people. Philippine Business Council- Director-General Plaza paid become one of the most viable, Director-General Plaza present- Qatar (PBC-Q) President Greg courtesy calls on the Minister attractive destinations in ASEAN,” ed various investment opportunities Loayon discussed specific indus- of Economy and Commerce & said Charge d’affaires, a.i. Roussel in the Philippines. She highlighted tries that Qatari investors may President of the Qatar Ecozones Reyes of the Philippine Embassy in the stability of the Duterte adminis- consider such as high quality Company, H E Sheikh Ahmed bin his opening remarks. Other than its tration and its focus on zero tolerance footwear; furniture for Qatar’s Jassim Al Thani and Minister of strategic location which makes it a to corruption. Director-General Pla- buildings and infrastructures; Energy and Industry H E Dr. Mo- gateway to the larger ASEAN and za also emphasised the high literacy railway or transport system which hammed bin Saleh Al Sada. 12 Filipino-run hospital to open soon in Qatar

hilippine Secretary of Health, Jean Rosell-Ubial, concluded a successful two-day visit to Doha on January 22 to P23 with the purpose of exploring po- tential partnerships on the establishment of a Filipino-run 100-bed general hospital, which is slated for construction by 2018. Director Maylene Beltran of the Bureau of In- ternational Health Cooperation of DOH, and Dr. Jose Manigque Tiongco, Chairman of the Medical Mission Group joined Sec. Ubial during the visit. While waiting for the construction of the hos- pital by 2018, the Medical Mission Group will first start with a polyclinic in Doha by third quarter of 2017. Secretary Rosell-Ubial met with prospec- Deputy Chairman of AlJazeera International Group, Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, Philippine tive Qatari investors, one of which is Hamad bin Secretary of Health, Jean Rosell-Ubial; memebers of the Philippine Business Council in Qatar, Jassim Al Thani, a member of the Royal family in Medical Mission Group and CDA Roussel Reyes pose after the presentation of the proposed Doha; and Deputy Chairman of AlJazeera Inter- Filipino-run hospital in Qatar. national Group WLL. Al Thani acknowledged the importance of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between of the Filipino communities in Qatar through a establishing a medical facility in Doha to be able Dr. Tiongco of the Medical Mission Group and a press conference at the Embassy Social Hall On to keep up with the demand for the health care Qatari investor. Secretary Rosell-Ubial called on the last day of the visit, Secretary Rosell-Ubial given Qatar’s booming economy. Charge d’affaires, a.i. Roussel Reyes of the Philip- met with the Minister of Public Health in Qatar The Secretary also witnessed the signing of a pine Embassy in Doha, and met with the members H E Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari.

Recognition for Filipino doctors Representatives of MMG advisers ProInvest Plus International and Kasian Qatar Consult- ing were also present. Dr Tiongco said that the equivalency of Filipino doctors “is crucial” to the planned Filipino hospital and polyclinic that MMG is working to set up in Qatar. A five-member team from MMG Philip- pines was in Qatar in January to meet Qatari investors and evaluate potential locations, as well as meet the Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners “to champion the qualifications of Filipino medical professionals”. The discus- sion on equivalency was spearheaded by the Filipino Medical Association in Qatar two years ago with the support and endorsement of the Philippines embassy. Minister of Public Health H E Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari and Dr Rossel-Ubial, with MMG PBC Qatar chairman Greg Loayon told Chief Executive Dr Tiongco and other dignitaries after their meeting in Doha. Gulf Times that he is “thankful for the recog- nition accorded by MoPH and QCHP to Filipino he Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), January 23 between HE the Minister of Public doctors”. He added that this reinforces the through the Qatar Council for Healthcare Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari and the competency of Filipino medical profession- TPractitioners (QCHP), has released an up- Philippines’ Department of Health (DOH) Sec- als in Qatar, “which will serve to bolster the dated “Approved Specialty Qualifications List retary Dr Paulyn Jean B Rossel-Ubial. number of qualified doctors in the country”. for Physicians” in Qatar, which now includes The meeting, organised by the Philippine Robert Lepon, adviser to PBC Qatar, added: doctors from the Philippines who are diplo- Business Council (PBC), also discussed the “The establishment of a Filipino hospital and mates of the Philippine Board. equivalency of the qualifications of Filipino polyclinic in the country supports one of the Diplomates of the Philippine Board can get medical professionals. Together with PBC Qatar pillars of Qatar’s National Vision 2030.” the “specialist” title after three years of work ex- executives, Rossel-Ubial was joined by Maylene According to PBC chief executive Lyndon perience from post-qualification degree, unless Beltran, the director of the DOH’s Bureau of Magsino, the MMG and its advisers “are now more years of experience is specified. International Health Co-operation, and Dr Jose working towards finalising the set-up of the They are not eligible for a “consultant” title M Tiongco, the chief executive of the Medical first of a series of polyclinics, as well as firming unless a higher qualification is obtained. Mission Group (MMG) Hospitals and Health up discussions with the Qatari investor for the This follows the ministerial meeting on Services Co-operative of the Philippines. Filipino hospital”. 13

Philippine Ambassador to Qatar, Alan L Timbayan, with other embassy staff in Doha pose for a group picture. Filipinos celebrate Qatar Embassy spearheads Fun Run

National Sport Day he Philippine Embassy in Doha, in cooperation with the Filipino Inter- Tnational Triathletes Qatar (FITQ) and Association of Nursing Service Adminis- trators of the Philipines Inc (ANSAP)-Qatar, organised the 3K Fun Run in celebration of the International Women’s month at the Oxygen Park, Qatar Education City, on March 17, 2017. The friendly race aimed to engage & Participants of the 3K Fun Run. empower Filipino women through fitness and health, also in line Qatar’s campaign for promoting a healthy lifestyle. Through the health and fitness platform, women were made aware of the importance of leading a healthy and active lifestyle through fun and engaging fitness activities. This is the first of Consul General Roussel Reyes many sports and fitness activities which the presents awards to the top 3 Embassy has lined up for the year. finishers from each group.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Charge d’Affaires Roussel R Reyes opens the Kulinarya Qatar National Sport Day activities named, “Be Fit with Kulinarya”; Embassy personnel and family celebrate Sports Day with the Diplomatic Corps; Mobile Overseas Voting Registration during the Kulinarya Qatar event at the City Center Rotana Hotel; and Filipino community groups participate in sports Embassy personnel and their family members join 150 participants of the day activities. fun co-organised FITQ and ANSAP-Qatar. 14 Rising Tiger Philippines posts some of the world’s fastest growth ³)?B<41>;C55C7B?GD8?6ŪE>D9<ŦŤťŭ³ED5BD5@<1>C1=29D9?ECťŪŤ2>9>6B1CDBE3DEB5@B?7B1==5

he Philippines is finally catching up with Philippine President ’s ambitious among the least reliant on exports in the region, its fellow Asian tiger economies as it posts $160bn infrastructure plan and push for greater depending instead on a youthful and growing some of the fastest growth rates in the investment from China, Russia and the Middle consumer base. Household spending, which Tworld. East are strengthening the outlook. makes up about 70 percent of gross domestic With the World Bank forecasting expan- The Philippine economy — now about product, rose more than 6 percent for an eighth sion of more than 6 percent for eight years until $292bn — was more than twice the size of Ma- quarter. FDI to the Philippines surged more than 2019 — unparalleled in the nation’s history — the laysia’s and 10 times bigger than Singapore’s in five times to $5.8bn between 2010 and 2015, but Philippines is mimicking gains seen in Malaysia 1960. By the end of this decade, the Philippines that still pales in comparison to Thailand’s $9bn and Thailand in the 1990s as they industrial- can achieve upper middle-income country status and Malaysia’s $11bn. ized. Growth in the Philippines was 6.8 percent with per capita income of at least $4,126, the To compete, Duterte is planning to boost in- in 2016, faster than China’s, data released in Asian Development Bank forecasts, joining the frastructure spending to 7 percent of GDP from January showed. likes of China, Malaysia and Thailand. the previous administration’s goal of 5 percent. The region’s former powerhouses are giv- He is also pushing for changes to tax laws to boost ing way to newcomers like the Philippines and MANUFACTURING, FDI revenue and amend the Constitution to shift to Vietnam, whose younger populations and ris- The ADB has said that boosting manufactur- federalism. ing middle classes help lure manufacturers. ing is key to creating more jobs. The Philippines is

Philippine economy to Travellers vote Palawan archipelago ‘Best B5=19>61CD5CD7B?G9>7 Island in the World’ for the second time n exotic paradise in southeast Asia 9>C91>B579?>  has been voted the world’s best is- he International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects Aland for the second time in a row. the Philippines to book the fastest economic With crystal clear blue waters, sandy shores Tgrowth in the region over the next two years and a phenomenal underwater river, the amid the projected stronger global economic idyllic Palawan archipelago easily claimed recovery. IMF resident representative ShanakaJay- the top spot in Travel & Leisure magazine’s anathPeiris said that the multilateral fund expects awards. the Philippines to book a gross domestic product This is the second time this publication (GDP) growth of 6.8 percent this year and 6.9 percent has lauded Palawan, but it’s also not the for 2018 on the back of a strong rebound in export only one as Conde Nast Traveler and Na- earnings. tional Geographic Traveler have also given “Growth is projected to remain robust at 6.8 per- the island similar awards. cent in 2017 and 6.9 percent in 2018, led by strong Voters described Palawan as ‘every domestic demand and a recovery in exports,” Peiris beach lover’s dream destination’. The place A lot of the island’s international fandom said. The projected growth for the Philippines this became a visual Hollywood byword for is due to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean year is faster than China’s 6.6 percent, Vietnam’s paradise as its white sanded shores have River, a Unesco World Heritage Site, which 6.5, Indonesia’s 5.1, Malaysia’s 4.5, Thailand’s three, featured in Bourne Legacy, The Beach and runs on the island’s western coast. Singapore’s 2.2 and Taiwan’s 1.7 percent. Economic James Bond film The World Is Not Enough. The Puerto Princesa Subterranean managers of the Duterte administration penciled a The island hosted many celebrities too. River National Park has one of the world’s GDP growth range of 6.5 to 7.5 percent for this year. Bourne Legacy’s producer Frank Mar- most impressive cave systems, featuring The Philippines emerged as the fastest growing shall said Palawan was ‘the most beautiful intact old-growth forests, distinctive wild- economy in the region last year with a GDP growth place’ he had ever been to. There are two life and cavernous chambers pricked with of 6.9 percent from 5.9 percent in 2015, aided by Unesco world heritage sites on the island, stalactites and stalagmites. one-off gains from election related spending that which both attract divers and snorkelers Tourists take guided boat tours through boosted consumption as well as higher investments. keen to explore Palawan’s underwater the underground cave system and snorkel- This was faster than China’s 6.7 percent, Vietnam’s world ers and divers explore the watery world of 6.2 percent, Indonesia’s five percent, Malaysia’s 4.2 Locals refer to Palawan as the ‘last fron- the province’s second Unesco World Her- percent, Thailand’s 3.2 percent, Singapore’s two per- tier’ because it’s located on the southern tip itage Site, the Tubbataha Reef National cent and Taiwan’s 1.4 percent. of the Philippines, just north of Malaysia Marine Park. 15 16