MANILA — It’s the first time in Manila of Luke Rohn, a tourist from California, even after being married for almost 30 years to his Filipina wife Jennifer Mendoza-Rohn.

So far, he said his visit has been safe.

"I haven't experienced any acts of hostilities or anything that would make me feel in danger. The only concern that maybe I was worried about is maybe the water, so I just drink bottled water," Rohn said.

Rohn explained he particularly likes the food and the "hospitable people" in the Philippines.

Thelia Fariñas, who hails from Spain, already expressed her desire to come back to the Philippines even while she’s still here.

She came to Manila with her boyfriend Alberto Fernandez, and were being toured around the city by their local tour guide.

"I don't feel [that it is] dangerous, I'm very safe... It's so beautiful," Fariñas said.

Pedicab driver Romy Barbo also described Manila as a "safe" place to be enjoyed by foreigners and locals alike.

"Wala namang nangyayaring krimen dito sa pang-araw-araw... Iyong mga batang nanlilimos, kahit saan po lugar normal po iyon," he said.

(There's no crime happening here on a daily basis... Children who are begging on the streets are normal in any place.)

For foreigners and locals ABS-CBN News spoke with, the capital still feels safe—despite it being considered the 5th "most risky city for tourists", according to global platform Forbes Advisor.

The study, published in the site last January, compared 60 international cities using various metrics.

Manila followed Caracas, Venezuela; Karachi, Pakistan; Yangon, Myanmar; and Lagos, Nigeria in the list.

Manila ranked 5th in personal security risk, or risk from crime, violence, terrorist threats, natural disasters and economic vulnerabilities; and 7th in health security risk—the level and quality of healthcare services and infrastructure in a city.

The capital was seen as 9th in crime risk or overall level of crime and infrastructure security risks, the “availability and quality of city infrastructure and its vulnerability to man-made and natural disasters”.

Manila came in 12th in digital security risk, or the “ability of citizens to freely use the internet without fear of privacy violations, identity theft and online attacks”.

Forbes Advisor cited the United States Department of State, The Economist, Numbeo, and Ruhr University Bochum as sources.

'ONGOING PEACE, SECURITY ENHANCEMENTS'

Responding to news about the Forbes Advisor study, the Department of Tourism (DOT) acknowledged its methodology.

However, the agency said it also understands the limitation of the survey and possible oversight of the ongoing "peace and security enhancements" in Manila.

These enhancements, the DOT said, include Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection (TOPCOP), Tourism Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) Operations Manual, TourISM WoRCS (Tourism Integrates, Supports, and Minds Women's Respect and Child Safety), "tourism first aid facilities".

"And most importantly, we now have the Tourist Assistance Call Center 151-8687 (TOUR), a dedicated 24/7 hotline for all tourist-related concerns, ensuring round-the-clock support for our visitors," the DOT said in a statement.

"On the whole, the DOT remains steadfast in collaborating with various government agencies, private sector partners, and local communities to implement and enhance safety measures, as we have so consistently shown by our various initiatives in order to help transform the Philippines into a premier tourist destination that prioritizes the safety and satisfaction of every visitor," it added.

The agency assured its commitment to "fostering a tourism industry that not only thrives but also guarantees the safety and security of all its guests".

For its part, a group of tour operators is unhappy about the data of Forbes Advisor.

"Masakit po ito, lalo higit sa amin sa hanay ng turismo, na kami ay nagsusumikap kung paano natin mapapaunlad pa lalo ang ating turismo at mapaangat ang number ng ating foreign arrivals, lalong higit ang ating tourism receipts... Nakakalungkot lang pakinggan," Fe Abling-Yu, President of the Philippine Tour Operator’s Association told Teleradyo Serbisyo on Thursday.

(This is hurtful, especially for us in the tourism sector, as we strive to further develop our tourism and increase the number of our foreign arrivals, especially our tourism receipts... It's just sad to hear that.)

CRUISE VISA WAIVER

Meantime, under the recently launched Cruise Visa Waiver program, visa-required foreign nationals will be allowed to enter the Philippines "for a limited duration, strictly for cruise tourism purposes".

"The Cruise Visa Waiver supports our goal of making the Philippines the cruise hub of Asia. It demonstrates our commitment to providing secure and hassle-free entry for tourists, which is crucial for boosting our tourism sector," Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said in a statement.

"The collaboration between the BI, DOT, and DOJ is pivotal in this initiative. We are united in our effort to strengthen cruise tourism and support the country's economic transformation," he added.

The Bureau of Immigration explained that the cruise visa waiver is "non-convertible and non-extendable, and would require the bearer to arrive and depart on the same cruise ship", and "utilizes the BI’s e-services platform" accessible through e-services.immigration.gov.ph.

"In 2023, the Philippines welcomed 123 port calls, bringing in over 101,000 passengers. With the new Cruise Visa Waiver program in place, the country is projected to see 117 cruise calls with an estimated 118,000 passengers in 2024. This increase is expected to significantly contribute to the economic recovery and growth of the tourism industry," the Immigration bureau said.