Five contingents will banner the Philippines’ fourth hosting of the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area) Friendship Games in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan on Dec. 1 to 5.
The Philippine teams are Mindanao A, Mindanao B, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Puerto Princesa City and Palawan.
The 11th edition of the BIMP-EAGA Games was canceled when the Covid-19 pandemic struck in 2020.
The Philippines’ previous hostings were the inaugural edition in General Santos City in 1996, Puerto Princesa in 2003 and General Santos City anew in 2012.
Brunei hosted the 10th edition in 2018, with Malaysian state Sabah dominating with a 23-17-15 gold-silver medal performance.
Among the 10 teams, the Philippines’ Mindanao (10-12-13) and Palawan (3-2-4) placed fourth and eighth, respectively.
Brunei was runner-up with 16-9-10 while the Northern Territory of Australia, a BIMP-EAGA development partner, placed third with 14-13-8.
The eight events this year are archery, athletics, badminton, esports, karate (non-contact), pencak silat (non-contact), sepak takraw and swimming.
Archery, athletics and swimming will be held at Ramon V. Mitra Jr. Sports Complex; badminton at Edward S. Hagedorn Coliseum; esports at SM City; karatedo at NCCC Mall; pencak silat at Robinsons Place; and sepak takraw at Palawan State University.
The Mitra oval and Hagedorn Coliseum will host the opening and closing ceremonies on Dec. 1 and 5, respectively.
Partners in success
The Mindanao Development Authority previously said the success of BIMP-EAGA and Mindanao relies on the cooperation and the assistance of the private sector.
The Department of Tourism is also promoting the halal (lawful or permitted in Islam) industry by encouraging local food and beverage establishments and accommodations to be Muslim-friendly.
As a result, the Philippines won back-to-back in 2023 and 2024 as “Emerging Muslim-friendly Destination” for Non-OIC (Organization of the Islamic Cooperation) countries at the Halal in Travel Global Summit
Meanwhile, the government grants travel tax exemption to travelers departing from all international airports and seaports in Mindanao and Palawan and who are bound for any East ASEAN Growth Area.
Based on Memorandum Order 29, inked by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Aug. 6, the travel tax exemption will be granted until June 30, 2028, unless sooner revoked.
Passengers with confirmed connecting flights from Mindanao and Palawan to the BIMP-EAGA countries within 24 hours on the same day may secure travel tax exemption from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority. (PNA)
