DOT certifies 2 Subic Freeport hotels for passing Halal standard

The Department of Tourism-Region 3 (DOT3) has awarded two hotels here for passing the standard of a Halal-friendly hotel. 

DOT3 Regional Director Richard Daenos, together with SBMA Tourism Manager Mary Jamelle Camba, handed the certificates of recognition to representatives of The Aurora Subic Hotel and The Mansion Garden Hotel during the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) flag-raising ceremony at the administration building on December 22, 2025.

Aurora General Manager Rhett M. Villaruz and Mansion Garden Hotel Operations Manager Sheanelle F. Calayag received the certificates for their compliance with the requirements of DOT Memorandum Circular 2024-003, which provides the Amended Guidelines for Recognizing Muslim-Friendly Accommodation Establishments (MFAEs). 

A Muslim-friendly accommodation offers prayer facilities (Qibla direction, mats, and prayer rooms), Halal food options (certified kitchens/ meals), and amenities such as water-friendly toilets and culturally sensitive staff training from official certifying bodies, including CrescentRating and local tourism departments.

Camba cited that the award is a testament to the capabilities of hotel establishments here in handling the various needs of tourists from different religious affiliations, adding that Freeport is a viable tourist destination for clientele from diverse cultures and beliefs.

She added that certain key features required by the DOT in Muslim-friendly establishments include dedicated prayer rooms, Qibla direction markers in rooms, prayer mats (Sejjadah), Quran available, Islamic TV channels, Halal-certified kitchens with separate utensils, and Halal minibar options, or menus clearly marking Halal dishes. 

She also mentioned that Megaworld Hotels & Resorts was also certified under this guideline.

Other features include water-friendly toilets (bidet sprays/ water source for ablution/ Wudu), and staff trained in Muslim customs, availability of nearby mosque information, and culturally sensitive service. (MPD-SBMA)

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3rd Central Luzon Sustainable Tourism Summit in Subic Bay Freeport concluded

This premier Freeport recently concluded the 3rd Central Luzon Sustainable Tourism Summit at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) last September 12, 2025.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño lauded organizers and participants for the resounding success of the three-day event, which ran from September 10 to 12, 2025.

 

Themed “Building Green Legacies: Sustaining Nature, Celebrating Culture, and Empowering Industry,” the summit was well-attended by business leaders and communities who plan to shape the Freeport and the rest of Central Luzon into a greener, more inclusive future.

 

Aliño gave his presentation on “Sustainable Subic: Tracking the Race to Zero,” which discussed the plight of Subic Bay Freeport’s bid to become the first carbon-neutral economic zone in the country.

 

He said that the agency’s first move was to map out the SBMA’s pathway to carbon neutrality, which entailed turning over of solar-assisted electric vehicle charging stations for the e-buses, and regular community-based projects and activities such as coastal cleanups and collecting recyclables.

 

“We aim to make sustainable Subic stakeholder engagements, initiatives, and activities like these a way of life here in Subic Bay,” he added.

 

During the summit, distinguished guests namely, Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Maria Esperanza Frasco, DOT Director for Office of Film and Sports Tourism and concurrent OIC Region IV-B Director Roberto P. Alabado III, DOT Region III Director Richard G. Daenos, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region III Executive Director Engr. Ralph C. Pablo, all expressed their full support for the summit.

 

The three-day activity included a trade expo of local products, various ecotours of “green” destinations, and lectures on “Heritage Conservation: Living Traditions in the Modern World” by UP Cebu’s Dr. Laya B. Gonzales, and “From Relics to Relevance: Museum as Custodians of Archeology, History, and Heritage for Sustainable Development” by National Museum of the Philippines Dr. Michael P. Canilao.

 Also, a lecture on “Green Infrastructure: Designing Cities that Breathe” was given by Philippine Green Building Initiative Arch. Michaela Rosette M. Santos-Tayag, followed by “From Plate to Planet: Food waste, Recycling and the Power of Segregation” by Zed Avecilla of the Philippine Alliance for Recycling and Materials Sustainability (PARMS), Rina Papio and Nikki Sevilla of the Philippine Alliance for Sustainable Solutions (PASS).

 

The summit wrapped up with more lectures from Philippine Institute for Development Studies Dr. John Paulo Rivera on “Youth in Sustainability: Shaping tomorrow’s Green Leaders” and “Sustainable Tourism: Protecting Underwater Cultural Wonders while Welcoming the World” by National Museum of the Philippines Curator Bobby Orillaneda.

 

The entire event was highlighted by the Sustainable Tourism Appreciation and Recognition (STAR) Awards to honor champions of sustainability in the tourism industry. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA hosts 1st Central Luzon Sustainable Tourism Summit

About 400 individuals from various sectors attended the 1st Central Luzon Sustainable Tourism Summit at Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

This is a project of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Tourism Department, in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Tourism Promotions Board.

In his message, DOT Regional Director Richard Daenos emphasized that sustainable tourism is a commitment.

“Sustainable Tourism is no longer just a concept but a commitment we make to the environment, our communities, and future generations,” he said,

Daenos furthered that tourism becomes a force for good if it benefits local economies and empowers the people and the planet.

Anchored on the theme "Practical Approaches Towards a Greener Philippines", the two-day event provided an avenue for industry experts, visionaries, and other partners to spark dialogues and educate on the topics circling sustainable tourism.

Among the highlights of the summit was the Central Luzon activation of Bisita, Be My Guest (BBMG) of DOT and Department of Migrant Workers.

BBMG is an incentivized promotional campaign wherein Filipinos, especially Overseas Filipino Workers and Overseas and Former Filipinos, who invite foreigners to visit the country will be entitled to a raffle ticket and have a chance to win special prizes.

It will run until April 30, 2024. (SNL)

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DOT working with Royal Air for Macau-Subic chartered flights

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is now working with Royal Air Charter Service Inc. to mount charter flights between Macau and Subic Bay International Airport seven times a week.

The DOT said that Royal Air is planning to mount daily flights from Macau to Subic Bay on a daily frequency using a 97-seater aircraft.

“Royal Air is among our airline partners which the DOT is working with to bring in tourists from China. Through our Route Development Team, we are providing marketing support to air carriers to increase tourist traffic to underutilized international gateways in the Philippines such as the Subic Bay International Airport,” said DOT Undersecretary and spokesperson Benito Bengzon Jr.

If the said carrier agrees, it is expected to produce additional 697 international air seats or about 35,308 seats per year from China, the DOT stated.

Bengzon said Subic Bay is a special economic zone in the country “which by law allows the entry of foreign nationals without the required visa for a maximum of 14 days.”

“This is a good opportunity for Philippine tourism as Chinese nationals do not need to queue in our consular offices in China to secure the entry visa to the Philippines. Subic Bay has a lot to offer to leisure and business travelers with its natural, cultural, and adventure attractions coupled with world-class accommodations and other tourist facilities,” Bengzon said. (Analou De Vera, Manila Standard)

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/07/28/dot-working-with-royal-air-charter-service-for-macau-subic-chartered-flights/

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