The renovation of old buildings inside the Malacañang compound will add to the Philippines’ new “tourism assets” because these can be turned into conference venues and guest houses, President Marcos said.
Laperal Mansion (BBM Vlog screenshot via Facebook)
In his latest vlog entitled “BBM VLOG 258: Pinoy Hospitality,” the Chief Executive shared about his initiative of renovating the old buildings in the Palace compound.
Marcos said it makes sense to turn these buildings into conference and meeting venues as one of the programs of the government is to provide accessible venues for foreign dignitaries.
“Karamihan ay sa palasyo naman ang mga meeting at engagement, kaya nitong mga nakaraang buwan ay may idinagdag tayo sa latest addition sa ating Filipino hospitality asset (Many of these meetings and engagements are being held in the Palace, so these past months we added to the latest addition to our Filipino hospitality asset),” he said.
Instead of the important visitors needing to stay in hotels and get stuck in traffic before reaching Malacañang, they can instead stay in the presidential guest house there to save time, Marcos explained.
“Nagkataon na may mga napabayaang lumang bahay sa compound ng Malacañang at may nakita kaming isa na pwede pang i-renovate, ‘yun ang aming ginawa (It just so happened that there are old houses in the Malacañang compound and we saw one that can be renovated, so that’s what we did).”
The President was referring to the newly renovated Laperal Mansion, a project that was made possible through the collaboration of the teams of the Office of the President, the Social Secretary and the Office of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.
Meanwhile, he also urged Filipinos to continue practicing the “Filipino hospitality” because they can become the country’s tourism ambassadors wherever they are.
This, the Chief Executive said, would be part of their contributions leading towards the Marcos administration’s “Bagong Pilipinas” campaign.
“Ang Filipino hospitality ay katangian na noon pa man nang bawat Pilipino. Isabuhay pa natin ito, lalo pang paghusayan, ito ang maha-halagang sangkap sa ating biyahe tungo sa ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ (Filipinos hospitality is an old trait of every Filipino. Let us live by this, and make it better, this is an important part of our journey towards ‘Bagong Pilipinas’),” he furthered.
Marcos described the Filipino hospitality as a tourism brand that the Philippines can be most proud of because it is known and recognized around the world.
“Ang Filipino hospitality na ito ay likas sa bawat isa sa atin dahil sa tahanan nagmumula ang pag-aalaga ng mga Pilipino (This Filipino hospitality is innate to each of us because Filipino hospitality begins at home),” he said.
The President also recalled how he is received by the world leaders during his various state visits, when they make sure he and his delegation feel welcome.