Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) president Dr. Cecilio Pedro asked the Philippine government to relax its visa requirements for Chinese tourists.
He pointed out that neighboring ASEAN countries like Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia offer visa-free access or visa-on-arrival policies for Chinese nationals, which gives them a significant advantage in attracting tourists and investments.
Pedro said that after the Philippine government’s recent ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO), the FFCCCII hopes to see a more streamlined and relaxed visa approval process to boost the tourism sector.
In 2024, only 312,200 Chinese tourists visited the Philippines, a stark contrast to the 1.74 million who visited in 2019.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) acknowledged that the current visa policy discouraged many potential Chinese visitors.
Pedro also called for agricultural modernization in the country. He cited the need for mechanized farming, lower electricity fees and the simplification of bureaucratic procedures to improve agricultural efficiency.
Pedro voiced support for negotiating salary increases through a triad council consisting of government, employers and employees. This, he said, would be more effective than the current House Bill that proposes a nationwide increase in daily minimum wage by P200.
Justin Uy, former president of the Cebu Mandaue Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the importance of expanding international competition across various sectors such as services, exports, and more.
He noted that the country’s numerous holidays have led to supply disruptions and plant shutdowns, resulting in significant job losses.
In Cebu alone, 4,000 jobs in the garment industry were lost due to the said disruptions, he said.