Robinsons Hotels and Resorts Sets a New Landmark for Inclusivity as the Largest Muslim-Friendly Hotel Group in the Philippines

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January 2026, Manila – Robinsons Hotels and Resorts (RHR) has reached a historic milestone, becoming the largest hotel group in the Philippines to be certified as Muslim-friendly by the Department of Tourism (DOT).

In a formal ceremony, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco personally awarded the certification to the RHR brand, recognizing its portfolio-wide commitment to inclusivity and cultural sensitivity. A total of 22 RHR properties have received this official certification, covering the group’s extensive portfolio including Grand Summit Hotel, Summit Hotels and Resorts, Go Hotels Plus, Go Hotels, and its international brands, The Westin Manila and Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria.



The journey toward this landmark certification began with Grand Summit Hotel General Santos, the first RHR property to receive the distinction. Its prayer room has been lauded by the DOT as one of the best in the country, subsequently serving as the blueprint for other hospitality establishments nationwide. To ensure a seamless experience for Muslim guests, RHR has implemented specialized facilities and services, including dedicated prayer spaces and specialized staff training to ensure hospitality that honors Muslim traditions and preferences.



This initiative is the latest achievement for RHR, which continues to be recognized on the global stage. Recently named “Philippines' Leading Hotel Group” at the World Travel Awards Asia and “Best Hospitality Developer” at the Property Guru Asia Property Awards, the group views these accolades as a responsibility to innovate.



Barun Jolly, Senior Vice President and Business Unit General Manager of Robinsons Hotels and Resorts, emphasized that the group is not resting on its laurels: "This certification is a testament to our deep respect for the Muslim community, which is an increasingly vital and vibrant part of our national tourism landscape. As a multi-awarded group—honored by the World Travel Awards Asia and Property Guru Asia—we are constantly looking for ways to be truly deserving of these citations. By certifying 22 of our properties, we are ensuring our hospitality is world-class and inclusive. We are honored to support the Department of Tourism’s vision of a more diverse and globally accessible industry where every traveler, regardless of faith, feels truly at home."



The certification of Robinsons Hotels and Resorts, the hospitality arm of Robinsons Land Corporation, marks a significant step in supporting the DOT’s National Tourism Development Plan. By securing the most certifications for a single hotel group in the country, RHR cements its position as an industry leader, advocating for a more inclusive and culturally aware landscape for all visitors. Robinsons Hotels and Resorts is the largest hospitality group in the Philippines with the most diversified portfolio ranging from ultra-luxury to essential value. It has 30 properties in 20 cities and municipalities, with more than 5,000 room keys nationwide.

Electricity consumers call for transparency on RE projects amid Solar PH mess

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Metro Manila (January 22) – Electricity consumers are calling for transparency on all renewable energy (RE) project contracts and a swift, comprehensive probe into the controversy surrounding Batangas First District Rep. Leandro Leviste’s solar energy firm.

“We believe that the issues involving the congressman’s company are not fabricated, nor are they an isolated case,” says Kuryente.org National Coordinator Bas Umali. “Much like the public’s demand for justice on the flood control ‘ghost’ project scandal, we electricity consumers also demand transparency in all renewable energy project contracts and the status of their completion.”

Earlier, the Department of Energy (DOE) terminated 33 service contracts of Leviste’s Solar Philippines Power Project Holdings Inc. (SPPPHI) and announced a P24 billion penalty, due to its failure to deliver on its power production commitments. In total, the DOE cancelled 163 RE service contracts with a total potential capacity of over 17,900 megawatts.

“The company’s failure to fulfill contractual obligations has a direct impact on us consumers, who have long been suffering from high electricity prices. If supply were greater, there would be a higher chance of lowering electricity rates; thousands of megawatts could have been added to the capacity of our energy sector,” says Umali.

Leviste had previously claimed that the cancellation of the contracts was politically motivated amid his recent exposés related to the flood control corruption mess, while Secretary Garin asserted that the cancellations began in early 2024, before the flood control scandal was on the public radar.

Despite the terminated contracts, Garin assured the public that the government will hatch a catch-up plan to proceed with reaching the 35% target RE in the country’s power mix by 2030.

“We hope the DOE will resolve this matter urgently and will not exercise leniency knowing that the person and company involved is connected to an influential family,” adds Umali. “The DOE must also inform the public with regard to the status of other concessions with similar cases.”

Enhanced Alternative Learning System expands flexible pathways for out-of-school learners

 

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MAKATI CITY, 22 January 2026 — The Department of Education (DepEd) has rolled out an enhanced Alternative Learning System (ALS) aimed at widening flexible learning pathways for out-of-school children, youth, and adults, aligning the program more closely with the formal K to 12 curriculum while strengthening employability and life skills. 

Education Secretary Sonny Angara underscored the human impact of the reforms, citing the the dedication of Mang Eduardo Saplala, an 81-year-old Aeta from Porac, Pampanga, who is currently enrolled in ALS in the province.

Saplala, a member of the Aeta community in Barangay Camias, is taking up Basic Literacy Program (BLP) under DepEd’s ALS program in the province. His return to learning was enabled by community-based instruction, flexible pacing, and competency-based assessment—features now embedded more formally under the updated guidelines.  

“Patunay si Mang Eduardo na walang edad ang edukasyon. Sa Alternative Learning System, may ikalawang pagkakataon ang bawat Pilipino,” Angara said. “Pinapalakas natin ang ALS para maging tunay na alternatibo—hindi pansamantala, hindi panghuli, kundi isang lehitimong landas ng edukasyon.”

He added that the program’s expansion is anchored on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s push for inclusive growth. “Sa malinaw na direksyon ng Pangulo, isinusulong natin ang edukasyong may dangal at oportunidad, lalo na para sa mga naiwan o napag-iwanan ng sistema,” Angara said.

In DepEd Order No. 1, s. 2026, DepEd has standardized ALS delivery across regions while expanding learning options for out-of-school children, youth, and adults. The policy aligns ALS competencies more closely with the formal K to 12 curriculum and institutionalizes flexible learning modalities and recognition of prior learning, and introduces micro-certification,  

In the policy, learners progress based on demonstrated mastery rather than age or length of participation. Individual learning agreements and portfolio-based assessments are now central to tracking progress, allowing learners to enter, pause, and resume education depending on their circumstances.

It also clarifies equivalent pathways across ALS programs, including Basic Literacy, Accreditation and Equivalency at the elementary and junior high school levels, and senior high school offerings. ALS completers may transition to formal schooling, pursue technical-vocational certification, or enter employment, depending on their goals and competencies.

The enhanced framework likewise affirms the role of local governments, universities and colleges, non-government organizations, and private entities in implementing ALS, including the operation of community learning centers and access to facilities, learning resources, and specialized instruction through existing coordination mechanisms.

DepEd also institutionalized capacity-building programs for ALS teachers and implementers, including training on the revised curriculum, learner assessment, and blended learning delivery. Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms were tightened to ensure consistent standards and track learner completion and transition outcomes nationwide.

Beginning School Year 2026–2027, all schools division offices are directed to fully implement the revised ALS curriculum for Basic Literacy and Accreditation and Equivalency programs, with separate guidelines to follow for a strengthened ALS senior high school track.

For DepEd, cases like Saplala’s are no longer framed as isolated success stories but as outcomes the enhanced policy is designed to produce—accessible, flexible, and credible education pathways that allow Filipinos to reenter learning at any stage of life