The Philippines won Gold for Most Desirable Island Country

Philippines wins Gold as Most Desirable Island Country in awards show hosted by UK’s longest-running travel magazine

ODV Creative Media, Inc.
November 10, 2026.

This Gold Award celebrates the beauty of our islands, but more importantly, the people, cultures, and communities that make every visit memorable.”— TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, EINPresswire.com/ -- The Philippines has won Gold for Most Desirable Island Country at the 2026 Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards, organized by the United Kingdom’s longest-running travel magazine, earning a major international distinction through votes cast by passionate travelers from around the world.

Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles accepted the award alongside Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) London Tourism Attaché Jerome Diaz and members of the TPB team. The ceremony took place on November 4, 2026, at the historic Painted Hall of the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, London.

The Philippines topped a competitive field of island destinations, with Barbados taking Silver and The Bahamas receiving Bronze. Other destinations in the top 10 included Ireland, Malta, the Maldives, Iceland, Fiji, Indonesia, and Jamaica.

The Philippines was also among a select group of destinations recognized at this year’s awards. Only three countries from Asia—the Philippines, Japan, and Thailand—received Gold distinctions across the award categories, underscoring the country’s standing alongside other leading destinations in the region.

Adding to the country’s achievements, Palawan climbed to fifth place in the Most Desirable Island (Worldwide) category, improving from seventh place in 2025. The recognition further reinforces the international appeal of Philippine island destinations.

Winners of the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards are determined through public voting, with readers selecting their preferred destinations across the award categories. For the 2026 edition, more than 251,000 readers cast over 8.2 million votes, making the Philippines' Gold Award a recognition shaped directly by international travel enthusiasts.

Established in 1993, Wanderlust is the UK’s longest-running travel magazine, known for championing authentic, responsible, and experience-driven tourism. Its annual Reader Travel Awards, now celebrating their 25th anniversary, recognize destinations and travel brands that have captured the imagination of its international readership.

“What makes this recognition particularly meaningful is that it comes directly from travelers themselves. To be chosen by Wanderlust readers, people who are passionate about discovering the world, is a tremendous honor for the Philippines. This Gold Award celebrates the beauty of our islands, but more importantly, the people, cultures, and communities that make every visit memorable,” said TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles.

“Together with the Department of Tourism, we remain committed to bringing more of the Philippines to the world, creating opportunities for local communities, and ensuring that the destinations we proudly share today will continue to thrive for generations to come.”

A celebration of the Philippines’ island experiences

With 7,641 islands, the Philippines offers a remarkable diversity of destinations, landscapes, cultures, and experiences.

From Palawan’s limestone formations and marine ecosystems to Boracay’s celebrated beaches, Siargao’s surfing communities, and the cultural traditions found throughout the archipelago, the country’s appeal extends beyond its natural attractions.

Travelers can discover the Philippines through its regional cuisine, traditional craftsmanship, community-led experiences, heritage destinations, and the warmth of Filipino hospitality.

In its published assessment of the Philippines’ Gold Award, Wanderlust highlighted the country’s remarkable diversity, citing destinations and experiences such as Bohol’s Chocolate Hills, Palawan’s limestone landscapes, the cultural heritage of Luzon, Manila’s historic Intramuros, Iloilo’s culinary traditions, and the marine attractions of Apo Reef.

For TPB and the Department of Tourism (DOT), the recognition strengthens ongoing efforts to position the Philippines as a destination where visitors can connect more deeply with local communities, discover distinctive cultural traditions, and experience the country’s natural heritage responsibly.

The award also creates opportunities to introduce international travelers to lesser-known destinations and experiences, encouraging them to explore more of the Philippines beyond its established tourism attractions.

Recognizing tourism’s value beyond visitor arrivals

The award comes at a time when the international tourism industry is increasingly examining how travel can create lasting benefits for destinations and the people who live in them.

During the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards ceremony, the publication’s leadership emphasized the importance of measuring tourism success beyond visitor arrivals and revenues.

Addressing tourism leaders and representatives from destinations around the world, Wanderlust’s Chief Executive Officer George Kipouros challenged the industry to consider the broader impact of tourism.

“How much value is being derived to locals and local communities? How much protection of the living environment are we actually delivering? Are we safeguarding the world’s most beautiful places for future generations?” Kipouros asked.

The remarks underscored the need to evaluate tourism through the opportunities it creates for communities, its contribution to environmental protection, and its ability to preserve destinations for future generations.

This perspective closely aligns with TPB’s advocacy, in partnership with DOT, of promoting tourism that creates meaningful opportunities for local communities while supporting the preservation of the Philippines’ cultural and natural heritage.

Through its destination marketing initiatives and international engagements, TPB continues to highlight tourism experiences that connect visitors with local guides, artisans, food producers, cultural practitioners, and community enterprises.

Such experiences help bring tourism opportunities to communities while encouraging travelers to appreciate the people, traditions, and environments that make each destination unique.

The Philippines’ recognition as the Most Desirable Island Country therefore presents both an opportunity and a responsibility: to translate growing international interest into tourism that benefits local communities and safeguards the country’s destinations for future generations.

Strengthening the Philippines’ presence in the global travel market

The Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards ceremony coincided with World Travel Market (WTM) London 2026, held from November 3 to 5 at ExCeL London, where the Philippines participated through TPB and DOT.

The Philippine delegation comprised 28 tourism exhibitors representing destination management companies, tour operators, hotels, resorts, and other tourism stakeholders.

Through business engagements and cultural presentations, the delegation showcased the country’s diverse tourism offerings while strengthening relationships with international travel partners.

The Wanderlust recognition provides an additional boost to these efforts, particularly in the United Kingdom and other European markets, where the award’s reader-driven nature offers a compelling endorsement of the Philippines’ appeal.

The ceremony also brought together prominent personalities and representatives from the international travel industry, with Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, among those in attendance.

For TPB, receiving the Gold Award on behalf of the Philippines represents an important milestone in its continuing efforts, alongside DOT, to strengthen the country’s global tourism presence.

More importantly, the recognition reflects the interest and enthusiasm of international travelers who have chosen the Philippines from among the world’s island destinations.

As the country builds on this achievement, TPB remains committed to promoting travel experiences that celebrate the Philippines’ natural beauty, cultural diversity, and the communities whose stories and traditions make every visit memorable.

Philippines is closing in on its 6.4 million visitation goal for 2026

Philippines surpasses 5 million foreign visitor arrivals in 2026, expecting late-year surge

Inside Asian Gaming
Newsdesk
10 November 2026

The Philippines is closing in on its 6.4 million visitation goal for 2026 after latest data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) revealed international visitor arrivals have now surpassed 5 million.

DOT Secretary Ma. Bernardita Angara-Mathay revealed that the 5 million milestone was achieved on 4 November, adding that the agency expects to see visitation accelerate for the remainder of the year as greater demand somewhat offsets higher fuel prices, airfares and other travel costs.

According to comments from Angara-Mathay at an event, daily arrivals surged in October to around 26,000 from an average of between 12,000 and 13,000 previously, while Chinese visitation is nearing 500,000 for the year on the back of the Philippines’ 14-day visa-free policy. She added that around 10,000 delegates are also expected to arrive with their families this month due to ASEAN-related activities.

On current tourism levels, Angara-Mathay said, “Despite the fuel, the airfare, the cost, we maintained it. And we’ll go up by 3% [in 2026], I think.”

She also revealed that the DOT has submitted a position paper arguing for the 14-day visa-free policy for Chinese nationals to be extended, despite recent concerns that the program is being exploited to reestablish POGO activities.

Angara-Mathay has previously stated that she wants the program, currently in place for arrivals through Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport and Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Cebu, to be offered through more gateways, including Clark Freeport Zone.

Philippines upgrades in labor rights index

INFOGRAPHICS

Philippines improves in labor rights index

Business World
November 10, 2026

The Philippines’ score improved by three points to 71 out of 100 in the 2026 edition of the biennial labor rights index (LRI), placing it among economies with a “reasonable access to decent work” rating. The country’s score was above the East Asia and the Pacific’s average overall score of 65. The index, co-produced by WageIndicator Foundation and the Centre for Labour Research, analyzes countries whether labor legislation enacted at the national level ensures workers’ access to decent working conditions.

Filipino American candidates win in U.S election

Filipino American candidates win across U.S

Victories from California and Nevada to Virginia highlight community representation in government.

Asian Journal Newsroom
November 7, 2026

Filipino American candidates secured victories in congressional, statewide and legislative elections across the United States, returning incumbents to office in several states while additional contests remained unsettled three days after Tuesday’s midterm elections.

The results included the reelection of Virginia Rep. Bobby Scott and California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with state lawmakers in North Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Nevada. Candidates of Filipino ancestry also retained uncontested legislative seats in Georgia and Alaska, while others held substantial leads in Maryland, New Hampshire, Hawaii and California.

Congressional and statewide victories

Scott, a Democrat who has represented Virginia’s 3rd Congressional District since 1993, won an 18th consecutive term in the U.S. House of Representatives, defeating Republican Edwin Rivera and two independent candidates.

Rep. Bobby Scott | Virginia

Scott received more than 70% of reported votes. His maternal grandfather was Filipino, and his election to Congress in 1992 made him the first voting member of the House with Filipino ancestry.

In California, Bonta secured another four-year term as attorney general, defeating Republican Michael Gates, a former Huntington Beach city attorney. Bonta received approximately 64.5% of reported votes, according to unofficial returns.

Attorney General Rob Bonta | California

Appointed attorney general in 2021 and elected to a full term in 2022, Bonta is the first Filipino American to serve as California’s chief law enforcement officer.

Democratic Assemblymember Jessica Caloza, who became the first Filipina elected to the California Legislature in 2024, also secured reelection in Assembly District 52. She received approximately 87% of reported votes against Republican Andrea Lee Anderson.

Democratic Assembly Member Jessica Calosa | California

Legislative wins across several states

In North Carolina, Democratic Rep. Maria Cervania won another term representing House District 41, defeating Republican Bruce Forster with 27,656 votes to Forster’s 8,619.

Democratic Rep. Maria Cervania | North Carolina

Wisconsin Democratic Assemblymember Angelito Tenorio also secured reelection in District 14, defeating Republican AmyRose Murphy with approximately 62% of the vote. Tenorio, first elected in 2024, became Wisconsin’s first Filipino American state legislator.

Democratic Assemblymember Angelito Tenorio | Wisconsin

In Tennessee, Democratic Rep. Justin Jones, who has Black and Filipino ancestry, won another term representing Nashville’s House District 52. Jones received 11,922 votes, compared with Republican Michele Vetter’s 2,763 and independent Martez Coleman’s 247.

Democratic Rep. Justin Jones | Tennessee

Former Cerritos Mayor Mark Pulido, another Democrat, held a substantial lead over Republican Paulo Morales in the open Assembly District 67 contest, covering portions of Los Angeles and Orange counties. Pulido received approximately 63% of reported votes in the latest available unofficial returns.

Democratic Assemblymember Mark Pulido | California

Nevada Democratic Assemblymember Erica Mosca, the first Filipina elected to the Nevada Legislature, retained her Assembly District 14 seat in Clark County without a general-election opponent.

Democratic Assemblymember Erica Mosca | Nevada

In Georgia, Democratic Rep. Marvin Lim faced no named opponent in House District 98, while Alaska Democratic Rep. Genevieve Mina likewise ran without a named opponent in Anchorage’s House District 19.

Democratic Rep. Marvin Lim  | Georgia

 Democratic Rep. Genevieve Mina | Alaska

Races awaiting final counts

Additional Filipino American candidates held leading positions in races awaiting completion of the official canvass.

In Maryland, Democratic Delegate Kriselda Valderrama stood among the three leading candidates for three House of Delegates seats in District 26. Valderrama received 28,310 votes in the state’s latest available unofficial tally, behind fellow Democrats Veronica Turner and Jamila Woods but substantially ahead of the Republican candidates.

In New Hampshire, Democratic state Rep. Luz Bay, a Filipino immigrant, led Republican incumbent Joseph Kenney in the Executive Council District 1 contest.

Bay received 64,227 votes, compared with Kenney’s 60,500, according to an updated election-results compilation. The five-member Executive Council approves state contracts and certain gubernatorial appointments, including judicial nominees.

In Hawaii, Democratic Sens. Joy San Buenaventura and Rachele Lamosao held substantial leads in their respective districts, along with Democratic state Reps. Greggor Iligan, Darius Kila and Shirely Ann Templo.

San Buenaventura received 10,832 votes against Libertarian Frederick Fogel’s 2,893 in SenateDistrict 2. Lamosao, who previously represented House District 36 received 6,707 votes against Republican Elijah Pierick’s 3,290 in Senate District 19.

In the state House, Ilagan led District 4 with 5,589 votes, Kila led District 44 with 3,186. And Templo led District 30 with 2,126, according to Hawaii’s unofficial statewide election results.

California local contests

California’s municipal and county elections produced additional close contests involving Filipino American candidates.

In San Mateo County, Daly City Councilmember Juslyn Cabrera Manalo led fellow Filipino American Mark Nagales, a South San Francisco councilmember, in the District 5 supervisor election.

Manalo received 11,613 votes against Nagales’ 9,923 in the county’s November 5 returns, a margin of 1,690 votes. Election officials reported approximately 110,000 unprocessed ballots countywide as of Thursday afternoon.

Other Filipino American candidates occupying leading positions included Rod Daus-Magbual in Daly City, Melissa Ramoso in Artesia, Ollie Cantos and Letty Lopez-Viado in West Covina, and Ditas Yamane in National City.

Territorial elections and closely divided races

Candidates of Filipino ancestry also appeared among the leading contenders in legislative elections in U.S. territories.

In Guam, Republican Shelly Vargas Calvo ranked among the 15 candidates positioned to win seats in the territorial Legislature, receiving 11,428 votes in unofficial returns.

In the Northern Mariana Islands, incumbent lawmakers Jude Untalan Hofschneider, Ralph Yumul, Daniel Iwashita Aquino Jr. and Angelo Camacho held winning positions in their respective legislative contests, according to preliminary election reporting.

Several races remained close enough for further ballot counting to affect their outcomes.

In Hawaii’s House District 42, Republican Rep. Diamond Garcia led Democratic challenger Anthony Makana Paris by 137 votes, receiving 2,997 votes to Paris’ 2,860.

Another Hawaii contest saw an election-night reversal. Republican incumbent Julie Reyes Oda moved ahead of Filipino American Democratic challenger Rose Martinez in House District 40, receiving 2,915 votes to Martinez’s 2,760.

Martinez had led in earlier returns before additional counting shifted the margin to Reyes Oda by 155 votes.

EuroNews tackles the Philippines

A trip to the Philippines offers hidden gems, slow food and colourful events

Fakhriya M. Suleiman
EuroNews 
07 November 2026

An archipelago of more than 7,000 islands in Southeast Asia, the Philippines offers everything from coastline and tropical rainforests to volcanic peaks.

Speaking to Euronews Travel at World Travel Market in London, Marga Nograles, COO at Tourism Promotions Board Philippines, described the country as tropical, and one that welcomes visitors in every season.

There is an “authentic experience for every traveller” at any time of the year, Nograles said. “From December to May, we have whale watching activities, which can be done in four destinations around the Philippines. Around that time also, we [have] perfect island hopping experiences, [for travellers] visiting all our award-winning beach resorts.”

For adventure tourists, she recommended visiting Siargao Island from September to January for watersports when waves can reach as high as around nine feet.

Surfing at Cloud 9 | Siargao

“We have many surfers coming into the Philippines at that time,” she said. “That is also the best for canyoneering and doing the sardine run.”

The Ruins in Bacolod | Tourism Promotions Board Philippines

Hidden gems in the Philippines

Beyond the capital, Manila, Nograles shared the Philippines’ must-visit destinations.

“Siquijor remains one of our hidden gems, with beautiful beaches, waterfalls, and rich local tradition,” she said.

Cambugahay Falls | Siquijor

The third smallest province across the country, Siquijor features white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and rich marine biodiversity. Visitors can enjoy kayaking, trekking and snorkelling in the Caticugan Marine Protected Area, among other popular activities to do on the island.

In Pampanga, Nograles recommended Clark for being an accessible getaway and an area that has a “rich history, exciting culinary culture, and growing leisure opportunities”.

She also spotlighted how Camiguin, an island home to 14 volcanoes, was listed among The New York Times’ 52 Places to Go in 2026, making it the only province in the Philippines to receive such international distinction.

Camiguin Island

“Its volcanic landscapes, waterfalls and natural springs make it a wonderful destination for nature and adventure,” she said.

The coastal country offers visitors no shortage of seafood dishes Avel Chuklanov/Unsplash

Food tourism: Where to eat in the Philippines

Nicknamed the “heart of the Philippines”, Iloilo City was named as a Creative City of Gastronomy in 2023 by UNESCO and is home to more than 300 restaurants.

"It's very interesting to come visit because their cuisine is heavily inspired by the culture and traditions of that city," Nograles said.

UNESCO recognises Iloilo for its culture of "fiesta" and tradition of festive banquets. Since 2021, the province has also held Timplada, an event that showcases local cuisine. This includes educational activities focused on Iloilo culinary heritage.

Bacolod, an urbanised city on the northwest coast of Negros Island, became the first international Slow Food Hub in Asia and the Pacific, according to the Slow Food Foundation.

“Bacolod City is a slow food hub in Asia and the centre for sustainable gastronomy,” said Nograles. “Negros Occidental also is the organic capital of the Philippines.”

She recommends visiting Carbin Reef in Negros Occidental. It’s a sandbar where visitors can sample "kinilaw", which is a traditional Filipino seafood dish where raw fish is marinated in vinegar, diced into cubes and accompanied with tomato, red onions, ginger and lemon zest.

MassKara Festival in Bacolod Sherwin Ballesteros |Tourism Promotions Board Philippines

Colourful celebrations of faith, flowers and harvest

Nograles told Euronews Travel that the country hosts more than 40,000 festivals each year. And there are three in particular that she highlights for travellers.

“First is the Sinulog, which is in Cebu in the Visayas,” she said. “Sinulog is a celebration of faith. In the Philippines, they celebrate the Señor Santo Niño (the Holy Child Jesus).

Sinulog Festival | Cebu

"During this time, the whole city stops because everyone is celebrating in the streets. They take out their boats. And everyone has their face painted. The energy is unlike any other.”

In the southern city of Davao, the Kadayawan Festival is a celebration of harvest. “There are different concerts, also street dancing,” she said. “[There are] also the freshest fruits around that time so, we also get a lot of visitors coming in – so it would be nice to come visit and try the fruits of the south of the Philippines.”

Kadayawan Festival | Davao 

Further north of the archipelago is where the month-long Panagbenga Festival takes place. "That is a celebration of the flowers," she said. "So all kinds of flowers are in bloom up the mountains during that time."

Panagbenga Festival | Baguio 

Philippines recorded the strongest growth in innovation over the past year

Digital Nations Index: Growth in innovation highest in PHL

Lorenz S. Marasigan
Business Mirror
November 5, 2026

THE Philippines recorded the strongest growth in innovation over the past year in the GSMA’s 2026 Digital Nations Index, helping it tie with Thailand for third place among Southeast Asian economies, officials of the global mobile industry body said.

The index, prepared by GSMA Intelligence, covers 22 Asia Pacific economies. It scores each country on five components: infrastructure, innovation, data governance, security and people.

Innovation remains the weakest area across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). Even so, the Philippines was the “most improved” in that component over the last year, according to Julian Gorman, head of Asia Pacific at the GSMA.

“Innovation is actually the key to turning mobile technology into something meaningful for users, to solving real national problems, to transforming industry,” Gorman said in a media briefing on Wednesday.

Among Southeast Asian countries, only Singapore and Malaysia scored higher in 2026. The Philippines’s infrastructure and innovation scores both rose from 2025. It also stayed in the index’s top band for data governance, alongside the region’s most advanced digital economies.

Jeanette Whyte, head of policy and external affairs at GSMA Asia Pacific, credited the country’s early move on data privacy. She noted that the Philippine privacy regulator has been cited across the Asia Pacific as an example of how to teach the public what data privacy means.

“Here, you’re continuously investing in it,” Whyte said.

She also cited Globe Telecom’s work on the GSMA’s scam-signal data exchange as proof of the country’s progress.

“The Philippines has been the first one of all the countries in Asean that we’re working in to actually get some data exchange,” she said.

She described the result as “sheer determination” rather than a technology breakthrough.

Most anxious, most willing to bear friction

A separate GSMA report, the Asean Consumer Scam Report 2026 prepared with research firm Armidale, found that Filipinos remain more exposed to scams than most of their neighbors.

Ten percent of Filipino consumers said they were scammed in the last 12 months, against a regional average of 8 percent. Only Vietnam, at 13 percent, posted a higher rate.

Filipinos are also the region’s most anxious consumers. Seventy-six percent said they “absolutely” worry about scams, and 78 percent said they have changed their behavior because of them.

The survey found Filipinos the most willing to accept extra security steps in exchange for protection. They rated the inconvenience they currently experience in online transactions at 6.5 out of 10, and said they would accept up to 7.2.

Both figures are the highest among the six markets surveyed.

“The Philippines highlights as the one who’s the most willing to be inconvenienced if it means being safer,” Gorman said.

Victims in the Philippines are also more likely to take their complaints to digital platforms than to the authorities. Forty-nine percent of Filipino victims reported to a platform, the highest in the region, while only 16 percent went to the police, against a regional 36 percent.

Investment and crypto scams reached 41 percent of Filipino victims, well above the regional 29 percent. Twenty-four percent of Filipinos have switched providers, and 62 percent avoid contact or transactions because of scam concerns.

Whyte attributed the country’s high scam awareness partly to culture.

“If you’ve seen someone that’s had a scam, you talk about it,” she said. “That’s why the awareness in the Philippines is very high.”

Gorman cautioned against reading the open public debate as proof that the problem is worse in the Philippines.

“Superficially, people might say, ‘Okay, actually the problem in the Philippines is worse than everywhere else.’ I think that is not proven by the level of debate,” he said.

Across the region, the report found that 82 percent of victims who lost money recovered none of it. It also found that 45 percent of reported cases are never resolved.

40 million still underserved

Despite the country’s progress, Gorman said GSMA data show that 40 million Filipinos still lack strong mobile broadband connectivity.

He said the definition of the digital gap is shifting from whether people are connected to whether they have reliable access where they live, work and move around.

“Every country has to come up with their own algorithm now,” he said.

Gorman urged the government to treat spectrum as more than a source of revenue.

“Spectrum is not just a national asset to sell. Actually, spectrum is an investment in the economy,” he said.

He also warned that public Wi-Fi programs should not distort the connectivity market.

“A free Wi-Fi system doesn’t necessarily do that,” he said, referring to creating an ecosystem where operators continue to deploy networks.

Whyte said the policies needed to attract investment have already been identified in the Konektadong Pinoy Act.

“Now that needs to be implemented, to be quite frank,” she said.

She cited Vietnam as a model. There, operators received a 15-percent discount for every base station they rolled out, up to the amount they paid for spectrum.

“[To attract] investments, you need the certainty,” Whyte said.

PHL to host UNESCO Global Media and Information Literacy Week 2027

PHL to host UNESCO Global Media and Information Literacy Week 2027

Business World 
05 November 2026

The Philippines will host the Global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week next year, following the country’s push to strengthen critical media and digital competencies, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

UNESCO Representative Maki Katsuno-Hayashikawa at the Philippine Media and Information Literacy Conference (MILCON) 2026 in Quezon City, Nov. 5, 2026. — ALMIRA MARTINEZ

“On the 3rd of November, UNESCO issued a response to the request and the kind offer from the President’s Communications Office of their willingness to host,” UNESCO Representative Maki Katsuno-Hayashikawa said at the Philippine Media and Information Literacy Conference (MILCON) 2026.

“This will be, I think, one of the first global MIL conferences in Asia, here in Southeast Asia,” she added. “We are looking forward to our continued collaboration and working together to bring the global MIL community here to Quezon City.”

The annual event, observed from Oct. 24 to 31, aims to underscore the need for factual, timely, targeted, clear, accessible, multilingual, and science-based information in the digital space.

Stakeholders worldwide are expected to discuss how to raise awareness and competency in data gathering and sharing, as well as celebrate progress toward digital literacy worldwide.

“With the global MIL week happening at the end of October, we have a series of activities happening in different countries and even within the country at some national level,” Ms. Katsuno-Hayashikawa said.

“We are very happy to see that countries in our region are actively engaged in promoting MIL,” she added. “One of the key strategies in MIL is advocacy, raising, empowering, and coming together so I think this event should be continued within the region.”

UNESCO Global MIL Week 2027 will cover exchanges of good practices and research, as well as emerging information and challenges in artificial intelligence and issues on children living in a “very challenging world.”

City Mayor Maria Josefina “Joy” G. Belmonte said that, as the host of the global event, Quezon City is actively promoting MIL across its community.

“Being chosen by UNESCO as an MIL City comes with responsibility and programs that must be promoted and valued dearly,” she told reporters on the sidelines of the event.

“One of those is to make sure that our citizens in all sectors are given the opportunity to be part of the dialogue or discourse,” she added. “Since much of that discourse happens online, we need to train our citizens to be part of that community. We should not discriminate.”

UNESCO Global MIL Week 2026 was previously held as a hybrid international congress with multiple flagship events hosted across several countries and cities worldwide. — Almira Louise S. Martinez