Bantay Turista meets newly appointed PNP chief.
Bantay Turista Foundation Chairman Boyette Balagtas, together with Director Jeon Dae Gu for Korean Tourist Assistant, Director Arthur Ng for Chinese Tourist Assistant, Director Terry Hua for Vietnamese Tourist Assistant and other members of the board made a courtesy visit to PNP Chief Director General Arturo C. Lomibao on April 6, 2005 at the PNP Head Quarters, Camp Crame. Director General Arturo C. Lomibao has accepted the invitation of Bantay Turista Foundation Chairman Boyette Balagtas to be an advisor to the foundation.

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President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
Presides over Bantay Turista
Executive Committee taking Oath of Office

On July 23, 2004 the Chairman and Officers of the Bantay Turista Foundation International (BTFI) were sworn in to their posts by the President of the Philippines, Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at the Ceremonial Hall of Malacañang Palace, Manila, Philippines. Full story with pictures here.

Bantay Turista Foundation meets with new tourism chief
With the change of leadership at the Department of Tourism, Bantay Turista Foundation Chairman Boyette Balagtas, President Jun Baurtista, Director Jeon Dae Gu, accompanied by Mr Rafael Relucio Tourist Police Chief of the Department of Tourism (DOT) made a call to Secretary Roberto “Obet” M. Pagdanganan the new DOT Secretary who replaced Secretary Richard “Dick” Gordon who is running as Senatoriable candidate for K-4 as of last April 21, 2004, at 2pm at the Office of Secretary, also present during the call is Director Romulo A Delos Reyes for V12 and Special Project of the Department.

Another meeting was held last April 28, 2004 at 10 am with the same group from the foundation, while the Department was represented this time by Undersecretary Armand C. Arreza who attended to our presentation and discussion. The presentation/discussion was all about the plan to come up with a call center which is also the priority project of the Department. Another topic was the launching of the a Korean project which is the distribution of Korean brochures on Cebu Pacific flights from Korea to the Philippines, the setting up of a departure and arrival Korean Desks at the Manila Domestic Airport and some identified Korean Tourist establishments, tentatively scheduled after elections. The location of the launching and distribution of almost 50 thousand pieces brochures produced in South Korean was shipped to the the Philippines by the Cebu Pacific Airlines is not yet fixed. However, the launching will push through after a meeting between MIAA, DOT Cebu Pacific Officers with the Foundation

Introduction
The Bantay Turista Foundation International (BTFI) is a duly registered Non Government Organization (NGO) with the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) registration # 200300005 dated January 2, 2003. The Foundation was initially inducted and recognized by the Secretary of Tourism RICHARD J. GORDON on March 10, 2003 at the Office of the Secretary, DOT Building, Ermita, Manila.

Bantay Turista or “Tourist Watch” serves as the spearhead for the “Care of our Tourists” and with the Program Pursuit “CAPTAIN” which is Care, Assist and Protect our Tourists with an Active Information Network. The Slogan of the members are “We Share. We Care. We Dare”. On June 24, 2004, the Foundation launched the BTF-Korean Tourist Assistance System and recognized by Secretary of Tourism ROBERTO “OBET” M. PAGDANGANAN, at the Manila Domestic Terminal  VIP Lounge, Domestic Road, Pasay City.

On July 23, 2004, the Chairman and Officers of the Bantay Turista Foundation International (BTFI) were again sworn in to their posts by the President of the Philippines, Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at the Ceremonial Hall, Malacañang Palace, Manila, Philippines.

The Mission of the Bantay Turista Foundation International (BTFI) is to become a world class private data processor of information, producing tourist’s records on assistance and providing excellent services for social and economic progress of the country – all within the frameworks of a safe, enjoyable and secured Philippine Tourism. The Foundation is envisioned to cooperate with the more than 100 thousand tourism-related institutions in this country who will likely become our partners and/or members. The Foundation priority objectives was focused on the prevention of crime rather than crime-reaction, reduction of tourist related crimes and providing assistance to victims or complainants and reassurance that the country is safe, enjoyable and secured. The Foundation is a Safety-based organization recognizing and encompassing a community dedicated to the "Care of our Tourists".

The Foundation provides information, public awareness and advocacy as the means for meeting its mission and vision. Membership is available to airlines, hotels, resorts, bars, clubs, travel companies and any organization or agencies that is travel or tourist related services of value to tourists and business travelers. Individual  and Corporate membership is available.

Click here for more information on membership details