AGP Executive Report

Digital Commuting Boost: DOTr rolled out cashless fare payment on LRT-2, letting riders use contactless cards, NFC phones/wearables, and GCash Commute QR at fare gates. Weather & Sea Travel Updates: Pagasa said TD Haishen may enter the PAR within 24 hours while habagat keeps rains over parts of Luzon; in Occidental Mindoro’s Lubang, the no-sail policy was lifted Tuesday but gale warnings still apply. Tourism & Ports: Marcos inaugurated Camiguin’s Benoni Port Operations Building and Light Craft Landing Station to improve passenger flow and connectivity; NAIA T3 also starts a month-long curbside upgrade with new canopy from July 15. Regional Travel Disruptions: PCG reported 12 passengers and 63 vessels affected by lingering Typhoon Inday impacts in Southern Tagalog; Bukidnon’s KTV road remains blocked as debris clearing may take months. Business & Investment: BoI targets P4.5T in investment pledges over two years, with tourism among priority sectors. Travel Safety/Access: Solomon Airlines signed an interline deal with PAL for through check-in via Manila and hubs in Port Moresby/Brisbane.

Travel Tech Deal: Esimy slashed its 1GB/7-day travel eSIM to a flat €1.99 across 30 top summer destinations, including the Philippines (US/Türkiye at €1.49). Airport & Mobility: NAIA T3 expands its departure curbside with a temporary closure of the inner departure lane nightly from July 15 to Aug. 14, with drop-offs rerouted. Maritime Disruptions: Typhoon Inday’s lingering effects left 12 passengers and 63 vessels affected in Southern Tagalog early Monday; authorities urged travelers to keep checking PCG and port advisories. Weather Watch: Pagasa says a tropical depression may enter PAR soon (name Jossie), while habagat continues to bring scattered rains and thunderstorms across Luzon and nearby areas. Tourism Infrastructure: President Marcos inaugurated Camiguin’s Benoni Port Operations Building and Light Craft Landing Station to boost passenger convenience and connectivity for tourists. Local Travel Safety: Lubang, Occidental Mindoro lifted its no-sail policy effective July 14, but reminded sea travelers to still follow PAGASA gale warnings. Culture & Events: Manila’s “Harry Potter” Yule Ball is set for September at Solaire. Sports Tourism: Alex Eala returns to Manila after Wimbledon, with a fan meet at Glorietta on Wednesday.

New NAIA passenger milestone: NAIA logged 18.29 million passengers from January to April 2026, up 4.5% year-on-year, with international traffic rising 7% despite higher airfares. Sea travel upgrade: 2GO launches a direct Batangas–Cebu overnight route starting this July, aiming to cut travel time by bypassing Manila. Investment push: BOI approved ₱461.84B in projects for Jan–Jun 2026 (+21%), led by renewable energy, with 124 projects seen creating 14,415 jobs. Consumer power woes: Meralco billing errors and disputes are under renewed scrutiny as regulators and lawmakers push for stronger consumer protection. Property pipeline in Cebu: Cebu is set to add about 17,000 condo units by 2029, keeping it the biggest VisMin residential market outside Metro Manila. Typhoon-linked travel disruptions: Super Typhoon Bavi/“Inday” continues to disrupt regional flights and sea travel, with cancellations and advisories affecting travelers. Sports & travel tie-in: Wimbledon hero Alex Eala returns to Manila for fan meets before her US Open hardcourt swing. Road safety in the north: Heavy rains triggered a soil collapse on Baguio’s Kennon Road; the affected stretch reopened after clearing operations.

Typhoon Bavi & Travel Disruption: Typhoon Bavi made landfall in China’s Zhejiang after battering Japan and brushing Taiwan, with nearly 2 million evacuated and major transport suspensions; in the Philippines, the storm’s wider effects kept travelers stranded and sea travel disrupted. Inday/Habagat Toll: The combined Inday and habagat death toll rose to 18, with hundreds of thousands affected and more than a dozen still missing as landslides and flooding hit parts of Mindanao and Luzon. West Philippine Sea Commemoration: Baguio declared July 12 as West Philippine Sea Awareness Day, marking the 10th anniversary of the 2016 arbitral award, while groups urged Marcos to issue an EO for a “Victory Day.” MICE Boost in Cebu: The SM Seaside Cebu Arena officially opened, seen as a missing piece for Cebu’s meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions push. Volcano Watch (Mayon): Phivolcs warned Mayon could shift toward more explosive behavior after sulfur dioxide emissions hit a 26-year high. Tourism & Safety Updates: Romblon was highlighted as a low-crowd island getaway, while Batanes and Oriental Mindoro saw port and sea-trip suspensions due to stormy conditions. Sports & Culture: Alex Eala returned to Manila for fan events after Wimbledon, and the 5150 Bohol Triathlon crowned new elite champions.

Typhoon & Monsoon Disruptions: Typhoon Inday/habagat continues to hit travel plans, with sea trips suspended across multiple ports and regions; in Oriental Mindoro, fastcrafts on the Calapan–Batangas route were cancelled due to rough seas while Ro-Ro resumed, and in Romblon, five ports kept trips suspended as bad weather persisted. Evacuations & Safety: In Occidental Mindoro, 145 people from 41 families were evacuated in Sablayan as flood and landslide alerts were raised; the OCD also reported Inday-related deaths rising to 17, with over 112,000 families affected and hundreds of passengers stranded. Tourism & Mobility: Sea travel resumed in northern Quezon after Pagasa lifted a gale warning, allowing vessels to operate again for Polillo Group routes. Travel Health Alert: Hawaii’s DOH flagged a new travel-related dengue virus case on Oʻahu, urging mosquito-control steps to reduce standing water risks. Philippine Travel Culture: Coron tourism coverage highlights island-hopping and popular lake hikes, while Cebu’s property market remains buoyed by tourism and infrastructure. International Travel Rules: The UK updated its list of countries needing visa entry clearance for short stays under six months, including the Philippines.

Typhoon Inday/Habagat Disruptions: Even after Typhoon Inday exited the PAR at 8:20 a.m., the enhanced southwest monsoon kept travel rough—sea trips were suspended in parts of Luzon and Visayas, including fastcraft cancellations in Oriental Mindoro and Romblon ports, while the PCG rescued 14 after a motorbanca broke down in Iloilo. Evacuations & Alerts: In Occidental Mindoro, 145 people from 41 families were evacuated in Sablayan as flood and landslide alerts stayed red; in Batanes, 35 tourists were stranded as flights were cancelled. Flight Cancellations: CAAP reported at least 10 international flight cancellations on July 11 due to Inday’s effects, with airlines advising rebooking and refunds. Tourism & Events: The Sun Life 5150 Bohol Triathlon marks its 10th staging, drawing elite and age-group athletes to Bohol’s scenic course. Travel Health: Hawaii DOH flagged a new travel-related dengue case on Oʻahu, urging visitors and residents to prevent standing water.

Typhoon Inday Disrupts Travel: Rough seas and southwest monsoon effects left 57 ports affected, with hundreds of passengers and cargoes stranded as sea travel was suspended across multiple routes, including Batangas–Mindoro and other Visayas/Southern Luzon areas. Kanlaon Ashfall Hits Flights: Volcanic ash from Kanlaon forced cancellations at Bohol-Panglao International Airport, with passengers urged to coordinate with airlines. Tourism & Environment Watch: A new study warns Chorao Island’s mangroves, bird habitats, and water quality are under pressure from pollution and unregulated tourism, even as ecotourism brings seasonal jobs. Cebu Tourism Boost: SM Prime opened the P7-billion SM Seaside Cebu Arena and signaled more large-scale mixed-use developments to draw longer stays and more international events. Meralco Rates Up: Manila households face higher electricity bills in July after Meralco raised residential rates, driven mainly by generation costs and taxes. Travel Tech Deal: Traveloka and Marriott ink a multi-year distribution agreement to expand Marriott hotel visibility and booking across Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

Typhoon Inday Disrupts Travel: The Philippine Coast Guard reported sea travel disruptions across six regions, with hundreds of passengers and cargoes stranded and dozens of vessels taking shelter as ports were affected. Maritime Suspensions in Key Routes: PCG Bicol suspended small vessel trips in Camarines Norte and Catanduanes, while other advisories also halted trips in parts of Eastern Visayas and Western Visayas. DOH Readies for Storm Impact: Cagayan Valley raised a code white alert, ordering hospitals to reactivate emergency response teams and stockpile typhoon supplies. Kanlaon Ashfall Hits Flights: Volcanic ash from Kanlaon disrupted operations at Bohol-Panglao International Airport, cancelling multiple Cebu Pacific flights; EMB-7 also urged Cebu residents to protect against ash. Air Travel Tech for Filipinos Abroad: Smart completed a live roaming test with Nokia to route Europe roaming data locally via Nokia Core SaaS Edge. Airline Expansion Boost: Philippine Airlines raised US$300M through a bond sale to fund fleet modernization and expand North America routes. Tourism & Events: Baguio declared July 12 as West Philippine Sea Awareness Day; this weekend also features Binibining Pilipinas 2026 parade activities, a comics festival, and a travel fair.

Typhoon Inday (Bavi) Travel Disruptions: The Philippine Coast Guard suspended sea travel and small-vessel operations across multiple regions as rough seas and gale warnings hit, leaving hundreds stranded in ports (592 passengers and cargoes reported affected) and canceling inter-island trips; meanwhile, Zamboanga-to-Sulu/Tawi-Tawi boat suspensions were lifted as Inday weakened, though caution remains. Weather & Safety Alerts: Pagasa raised TCWS No. 2 over Batanes and TCWS No. 1 over parts of Luzon, while Mindanao saw flooding and class suspensions in areas like Bukidnon. Volcano Ashfall Precautions: Cebu residents were advised to protect against Kanlaon ashfall with masks (N95/KN95), eye protection, indoor time, and careful driving. Tourism & Events: SM Prime gave a sneak peek of the ₱7-billion SM Seaside Cebu Arena ahead of its July 11 opening, positioning it as a new draw for tourists and major shows in Cebu. Museum Rules: NMP-Davao updated visitor guidelines, tightening bans on hazardous items and limiting bag sizes. Tourism Industry Outlook: Hospitality leaders pointed to infrastructure upgrades and regional expansion as key drivers for continued tourism growth.

Typhoon & Travel Disruptions: Typhoon “Inday” (Bavi) kept gale warnings up, with the Coast Guard suspending small-vessel trips in parts of Eastern Visayas, northern Quezon, and Surigao del Norte as rough seas hit—so travelers should check flight and ferry status before heading out. Volcano Safety for Tourists: Kanlaon Volcano’s ashfall reached Cebu; Mactan-Cebu airport said operations continue but runway clearing and safety checks are underway, while residents were advised to limit exposure and use masks/goggles. Tourism & Events: Iloilo Trio 2026 officially opened at ICON, bringing together construction, food and beverage, travel and leisure exhibitors for four days of deals and networking. Air Connectivity: Philippine Airlines is adding more nonstop flights to North America, including extra Manila–Vancouver, Manila–Toronto, and Manila–New York (JFK) services starting in November/December. Hotel Buzz: The Lind Boracay picked up new accolades, including a Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2026 ranking and other major hospitality recognitions. Local Economy Watch: Central Visayas investment activity is expected to slow amid inflation and higher operating costs, even as business registrations remain substantial.

West Philippine Sea Security: President Marcos ordered the AFP to “hold the line” in the WPS as Defense Sec. Gilberto Teodoro said the military will keep external defense operations steady amid ongoing security challenges. Typhoon Disruptions: Super Typhoon Inday (Bavi) prompted Negros Oriental to suspend July 9 classes and the Philippine Coast Guard to suspend small-vessel trips in northern Quezon, with passengers sheltered at Real Port. Immigration & Tourism Rules: The Bureau of Immigration launched its BI Strategy 2026-2040 to modernize travel and crack down on illegal migration, while BI also moved to deport two foreigners arrested in Siargao for allegedly running a resort on tourist visas. Airline & Travel Finance: Philippine Airlines raised $300M via its first international bond offering post-bankruptcy, aiming to fund network expansion and fleet modernization. Jobs & Travel Economy: Dole said employment rose by about 740,000 in May, but unemployment climbed to 4.8%, underscoring the need for more “quality jobs.” Conservation & Low-Impact Tourism: Masungi Georeserve was highlighted as a conservation model combining habitat restoration with low-impact tourism. International Travel Interest: Agoda data showed Vietnam surging in international accommodation searches, reflecting faster tourism momentum across the region.

Typhoon & Transport Disruptions: Super Typhoon Inday (Bavi) has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility, with government agencies warning of heavy rain and strong winds; Montenegro Shipping Lines canceled Lucena–San Agustin, Romblon trips to protect passengers and vessels. Safety & Travel Advisory: The government is urging heightened preparedness across high-risk areas in northern/eastern Luzon and parts of the west seaboard as Inday strengthens habagat. Air Travel Watch: Philippine Airlines is set to split its widebody order between Boeing 787s and Airbus A350s, signaling a major long-haul upgrade for travelers. Tourism Economy: Central Visayas tourism is off to a slow start in 2026, with declines in arrivals and hotel occupancy despite major events. Travel Business & Leisure: Unilever Food Solutions’ “Future Menus 2026” food-trends event returns for one day at Intramuros, turning the historic site into a limited-time food crawl. Airline Safety Question: A new roundup asks which airline is the safest in the Philippines, as travelers look for clearer benchmarks. Health & Detention (Travel Impact): Sen. Rodante Marcoleta remains under medical observation and is not fit for travel after chest pains, high blood pressure, and mild pneumonia.

Super Typhoon Bavi (Inday) Readiness: Philippine agencies are ramping up for possible severe weather as the storm nears the Philippine Area of Responsibility, with PAGASA warning of strong winds and heavy rains that could affect extreme northern/eastern Luzon and parts of the west coast, while DILG orders LGUs to activate disaster response early. Transport & Travel Advisories: The LTFRB says it will issue travel advisories to buses, UV Express and trucks, coordinate road closures with DPWH, and coordinate with the Philippine Ports Authority on sea travel bans as conditions develop. Coast Guard & Police Mobilization: The Coast Guard activates its Deployable Response Group for rapid maritime search-and-rescue, while Mimaropa police and local units boost rescue readiness and coordination with disaster offices. Tourism Policy Win: The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of VAT refunds for non-resident foreign tourists under RA 12079, supporting incentives meant to boost tourist spending. Air Travel Boost: Philippine Airlines is adding more Japan and Australia flights for the holiday peak, including higher weekly frequencies to Tokyo, Osaka and Sapporo. Active Transport Push: A Pulse Asia survey shows 94% of Filipinos want more bike lanes and pedestrian walkways, urging lawmakers to raise the active transport budget for 2027. Wildlife Spotting: A rare white monkey (likely a long-tailed macaque) was documented in Sultan Kudarat, prompting DENR to tighten protection measures.

Super Typhoon Bavi/Inday Readiness: Government agencies are ramping up ahead of Bavi’s expected entry into the Philippine Area of Responsibility Tuesday night to Wednesday morning, with the Coast Guard activating a deployable response group in Zamboanga and LGUs told to move early, monitor advisories, and prepare for heavy rains, strong winds, flooding, and possible landslides. Travel & Transport Alerts: The LTFRB says it will issue travel advisories for buses, UV Express, and trucks, coordinating with Pagasa, road closures, and possible sea travel bans as wind signals may rise in parts of Northern Luzon and beyond. Metro Manila Commuter Heads-Up: MMDA warns of heavier traffic due to ongoing roadworks and drainage upgrades, urging motorists to take alternate routes and add extra travel time. Air Travel Legal Win: Cebu Pacific scored a Malaysia trademark case victory, barring an unauthorized booking platform from using its Cebu Pacific/Cebgo trademarks and ordering damages. Tourism Spotlight: DOT hailed Alexandra Eala’s Wimbledon 2026 run as a proud moment for Philippine sports, even after her fourth-round loss. Wildlife & Nature: Authorities in Sultan Kudarat tightened protection after a rare white monkey was spotted, while Cebu expands access to free polyvalent antivenom for snakebite cases once permits are secured. Sports & Events: Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals kick off July 11 with foreign squads joining local teams, and the 5150 Triathlon Islands Series returns to Bohol with a stacked women’s field.

Super Typhoon Bavi (Inday) Preparedness: President Marcos ordered a whole-of-government response as Bavi nears the Philippine Area of Responsibility, with pre-disaster risk meetings, widest alerts, preemptive evacuations in high-risk areas, safe evacuation centers, rescue and relief prepositioning, and sea travel bans. Metro Manila Traffic Disruptions: MMDA warned motorists of heavier traffic from roadworks and repairs across Manila, Quezon City, and Parañaque through December, urging alternate routes and extra travel time. Northern Cebu Airport Push: Cebu’s provincial board backed an international airport proposal in northern Cebu, calling for feasibility studies and technical evaluations by key national agencies. Puerto Galera Water Crisis: The town appealed for urgent national help to address worsening water shortages that threaten residents and tourism, including upgrades to water distribution and treatment facilities. Tourism & Sports: The 5150 Triathlon Islands series returns to Bohol with elite athletes, including Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Erika Burgos, racing an Olympic-distance course at Panglao. Travel Policy Update: The Supreme Court upheld VAT refunds for non-resident foreign tourists under RA 12079, supporting incentives aimed at boosting tourism spending. Travel Insurance for BNPL Users: Malayan Insurance partnered with Atome to sell digital travel insurance plans starting at P89, covering local and international trips. Connectivity Boost: PLDT activated 11 new 4G LTE rural sites in Bohol to improve access for residents, education, tourism, and disaster resilience.

Storm Readiness: President Marcos orders a whole-of-government response as Super Typhoon Bavi may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Wednesday, to be named “Inday,” with pre-disaster risk meetings, stronger public warnings, preemptive evacuations in flood/storm surge/landslide-prone areas, safe evacuation centers, livestock/equipment zones, rescue and relief prepositioning, alternate routes, and sea travel bans. Road & Commute Updates: MMDA warns of heavier traffic in Manila, Quezon City, and Parañaque due to road works running July to December, including Legarda Bridge rehab and multiple DPWH preventive maintenance schedules. Tourism Policy: The Supreme Court rules RA 12709 constitutional, allowing VAT refunds for foreign tourists on accredited store purchases (min ₱3,000) taken out of the country within 60 days. Aviation Safety: AirAsia Philippines boosts its partnership with PNP AVSEGROUP to crack down on fraudulent travel documents and strengthen passenger safety. Nature & Travel Safety: Viral reports of a juvenile king cobra emerging from a resort toilet in Negros Occidental highlight the need for extra caution in wildlife-prone areas. Travel Deals: Trip.com launches its 7.7 Mega Sale (July 7–10) with flight and hotel discounts. Travel Culture: UNESCO adds new biosphere reserves for 2026, including Matibay na Bayan ng Sablayan in Occidental Mindoro, spotlighting conservation-focused destinations.