Much more than cars

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

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On Friday 23rd of July the Excutive and key committee members of the Bantay Turista Foundation International were sworn in to their posts by the President of the Philippines Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at Cermonial Hall of Malacañang Palace.

This was another step forward for the Bantay Turista Foundation International (BTFI) that has recently been re-energized by bringing in the much needed expertise and energy of new committee members.  Just recently the BTF Korean Tourist Assistance System launched free hotlines to Korea for Korean Tourists, has printed 50,000 information leaflets and has been very active in a number of areas. The Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese and European Tourist Assistance Systems are likely to follow with similar projects in the near future.

On Tuesday July 27th, a few days after the presidential induction, a garden party was held at the home of Ambassador Bienvenido V. Tejano to introduce the committee members to Philippines dignitaries.  At the party the Ambassador said he had just met with the President and the First Gentleman.  He said that both were very supportive, quoting the First Gentelman Mike Arroyo as saying he is 101% behind the Bantay Turista Foundation International.

The members of the executive committee inducted by the President were:

P/Superintendent Pablo Francisco E. Balagtas	Chairman
Rodolfo R. Bautista Jr	President
Salvador M. Sarto	Executive Vice President
Joseph Ely L. Medina	Vice President
Dr. Jeon Dae Gu	Director, Korean Tourist Assistance System
Frank A. Woolf	Director, European Tourist Assistance System
Aoki Toyoharo	Director, Japanese Tourist Assistance System
Edgar M. Sarto	Director, Media Affairs
Attorney John R. Castricions	Director, Legal
Jason A. Bacud	Director, Infrastructure
Gerry C. Urgelles	Director, Finance
Philip E. Edquiban	Director, OFW & Tourism
Mercy T. Ong	Director, Overseas Affairs
Ambassador Bienvenido V. Tejano	Adviser
Dr. Linalyn L. Tejano	Adviser
Chairman Roy V Señeres	Adviser
General Pedro E. Bulaong	Adviser
Kwon Yong Rak	Ass. Dir.,, Korean Tourist Assistance System
Hee Won Park	Member, Korean Tourist Assistance System
Vo Thien Hua	Member, Vietnamese Tourist Assistance System
Arthur Chuyaco Ng	Member, Chinese Tourist Assistance System
Jesus Manuel Go	Liason Officer

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