MEDIA RELEASEJanuary 2012

Philippine resort and spa bag ASEAN Green Hotel Awards

Already four years operating as a lodging establishment in Palawan, Daluyon Beach

and Mountain Resort is a 16-room affair owned and managed by brothers Ruben and

Clifford Tan and their wives, Maria and Deborah. Little did they know that their

advocacy for green tourism as practiced in the resort would pay off when the

Department of Tourism (DOT) made its usual search for nominees to the ASEAN Green

Hotel and found the resort compliant of the criteria.

“We were pleasantly surprised as we only got to know of the awards when we were sent

forms to fill and more surprised after being evaluated as compliant. We are firm

believers of the green agenda and are happy that we have contributed through our own

small way,” the Tans said during the awards at Manado, Indonesia, held to coincide with

the 2012 ASEAN Tourism Forum.

Meanwhile, Mandala Spa and Resort Villas in Boracay Island in Aklan, born in 2001 as

a day spa, evolved into a destination spa, reaping numerous awards as best spa

destination and best holistic treatment, among others. It is presently owned and

managed by Mr. Dieter Scrottmann.

DOT Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. shared their pride as he handed the plaques of

recognition to Daluyon and Mandala, received by the Tans and DOT Director Ma. Rica

Bueno, respectively. “We at the DOT will try to provide the support environment that

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will attract more green investments. Through the TIEZA (Tourism Infrastructure

Enterprise Zone Authority), we may be able to extend ample incentives and assist in

looking for financing windows to make easy the start-up investments into green

technology. We want to contribute significantly to the global effort of greening tourism,”

Jimenez said.

The ASEAN Green Hotel Awards are held every two years. Its criteria covers

environmental policy and activities, use of green products, collaboration with the

communities and local organizations, human resources development, solid waste

management, energy efficiency, water efficiency, air quality management, noise

pollution control, waste water treatment and management and toxic and chemical

substance disposal management.

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CONTACT: EVELYN A. MACAYAYONGOffice of Marketing Communications525-18-05

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ASEAN Green Hotel Awards. (L-R): DOT Director Ma. Rica Bueno receiving the award for Mandala Resort, ASEAN Secretariat Director of Finance, Industry and Infrastructure Somsak Pipoppinyo, DOT Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr., and Deborah and Ruben Tan, Director of Marketing and Chairman of Daluyon Resort.

DOT Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr., flanked by Daluyon Resort owners. (L-R) Maria, Ruben, Clifford and Deborah Tan.

DOT Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr., flanked by the Daluyon Resort owners, (L-R), Maria, Ruben, Clifford and Deborah Tan.