Tolentino urges Filipinos: Discover, be proud of Palawan

Reelectionist Senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino urges Filipinos to consider Palawan as their next travel destination. According to him, more tourists means more income for the local economy and will also help counter false claims on Chinese social media about the history of the island province.

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol – Reelectionist Senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino is calling on Filipinos to consider the island-province of Palawan as their next travel destination.

“I urge our kababayans, those who have the means, to visit Palawan, and to post about how beautiful it is,” Tolentino said during a radio interview in Tagbilaran City.

“More visitors means more income for its local economy and tourism,” he added, noting that this could also help counter false claims on Chinese social media about Palawan’s history.

“Palawan has always been, and will continue to be part of the Philippines,” Tolentino stressed.

He cited some of the renowned tourist spots in Palawan, including the Puerto Princesa Subterranean National Park and Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park — both UNESCO World Heritage sites — as well as Honda Bay, El Nido, and Coron.

Palawan also covers the municipality of Kalayaan, the largest island in the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), where authorities regularly report the large presence of China Coast Guard and Chinese militia vessels.

Tolentino is the principal author of the landmark Philippine Maritime Zones Act, or Republic Act 12064, which strengthens the country’s territorial integrity, including the assertion of its rights over the West Philippine Sea in line with international law.