LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu, Philippines — Seeing the significant increase of consumer traffic in Singapore, local airline, Air Philippines Express (Airphil) has ventured into offering a daily flight schedule from Cebu to Singapore and vice-versa with 180 passengers boarding an Airbus 320 Wednesday morning for the maiden flight to Singapore.

Airphil Express Senior Vice-president for Marketing and Sales Alfredo Herrera said the country’s leading budget airline has chosen Singapore as its first international destination because of its growth potential.

Singapore has a large Filipino population of some 200,000 which serves as a core market although Airphil Express said it is looking beyond this market to grow its business.

Singapore is considered by many as Filipino professionals as their second home, even as it offers to local tourists a variety of attractions such as night markets, delicious food fare, retail outlets, theme parks, botanical gardens, and museums.

“Consumer traffic to Singapore has increased significantly over the past couple of years due to the growth in tourism brought about by investments in infrastructure the Singapore government has aggressively undertaken in past years.

We expect growth trends to continue which is why we’re investing in this market,’’ said Herrera. (Phoebe Jen Indino)

LEYTE BUSINESS FORUM SET THURSDAY

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — Members of the business community and representatives from various sectors here led by its President, Willy Julio and other officers of the Leyte Chamber of Commerce and Industry will hold a business forum tonight at the Balyuan Convention Center here.

Joel Caminade, LCCI public relations officer, said Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez has been invited to address the forum and discuss issues and concerns of local businessmen.

Caminade said the first ever business meeting with Mayor Romualdez is in realization of the latter’s pronouncements he made during their induction affair held last Saturday when he said he is open to having a dialogue with local businessmen.

"We welcome Mayor Romualdez's desire to make the city government closer to the business community and dialogue with him to discuss solutions of issues and problems in the city, or affecting the business sector," Caminade said.

He also said the business community can do much to help the city government in ironing out various concerns and issues through dialogue.

“We are ready to help the city promote tourism and attract businessmen to visit and invest here,” he said. (Nestor L.Abrematea)

DINAGYANG GETS P400,000

ILOILO CITY, Philippines (PNA) — The Iloilo provincial government is donating P400,000 for the holding of the annual Dinagyang Festival this coming January, 2011.

Iloilo Provincial Tourism officer Gilbert Marin said in an interview that Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr. has already approved the requested amount sought by the Dinagyang Festival Committee, an amount higher than what was donated by the provincial government to the Festival.

Marin said the provincial government of Iloilo every year contributes an amount of money to support tourism activities related to the Festival. Many foreign and domestic tourists come to Iloilo City and the province to witness the famous Mardi-Gras-like event.

Apart from funding support, the provincial government will put up a judging area in front of the old Capitol building where the judges as well as the invited guests can have a good view of the tribal performances.