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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Palace urges Pinoys to visit local tourist spots while awaiting Japan visas

Palace urges Pinoys to visit local tourist spots while awaiting Japan visas

Published Jan 21, 2026 01:40 pm
El Nido, Palawan
El Nido, Palawan
Malacañang has encouraged the public to explore local tourist destinations while waiting for Japanese visa appointments to open.
The Palace made the call amid the reported difficulties faced by travel agencies in securing Japanese visa appointments for their clients.
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said they have referred the matter to the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
"Sa ngayon po ay isinangguni natin ito sa DOT but sabi po nila outbound ito kaya hindi po nila sakop at sa ngayon po ay isinasangguni ko rin po ito sa DFA (For now, we have referred this matter to the DOT, but they said that since it is outbound, it does not fall under their jurisdiction. At present, I am also referring this to the DFA)," Castro said in a Palace briefing on Tuesday, Jan. 20.
For the meantime, she urged travelers to visit local destinations in a bid to boost the country's tourism.
"But, pansamantala, habang sila ay naghihintay ng kanilang visa na i-issue ng bansang Japan – ito nama’y kanilang polisiya at iginagalang natin ito – pero hangga’t habang sila’y naghihintay, mas maganda po sigurong i-explore ng ating mga kababayan ang Pilipinas (But in the meantime, while they are waiting for their visas to be issued by Japan—which is their policy and which we respect—it might be better for our fellow countrymen to explore the Philippines while they wait)," Castro said.
"Iangat din natin ang turismo ng Pilipinas at kung sila ay kikita dahil sa travel tax at kikitain ng mga tourism agencies, mas kikita rin po sila kung iaangat nila ang turismo ng Pilipinas (Let us also boost Philippine tourism. If they earn from travel tax and from the revenues of tourism agencies, they can earn even more by promoting and strengthening tourism in the Philippines)," the Palace official added.
The Global Tourism Business Association, Inc. (GTBA) has sought assistance from the Embassy of Japan to open more slots for securing a Japanese visa.

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