Gwen opens Malapascua for tourists

CEBU, Philippines —  Malapascua Island in Daanbantayan town in northern Cebu has joined other tourism destinations in the province that opened its door to tourists.

Malapascua is one of the famous islands in Cebu offering diving sites that captures not just the local visitors but also international tourists.

The tourism in the island was opened during Governor Gwendolyn Garcia's visit last Sunday.

In a Sugbo News report, the Capitol's news arm, tour operators in the island expressed elation of the opening of their tourism industry after several months when they were forced to stop their operation following imposition of community quarantine caused by the coronavirus disease pandemic.

Garcia, in his message during the program held at the island, said tourism in Malapascua is open for local tourists since international travel is still restricted.

“Let’s not pin all our hopes in international tourism alone, it will come. Let us encourage domestic tourism. That should be a start,” Garcia said.

She furthered that the goal is to revive the ailing tourism industry in the Province that has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Too many people are suffering not because they are afflicted by Covid but because of a Covid-19-afflicted economy,” Garcia furthered.

Department of Tourism (DOT-7) regional director Shahlimar Tamano who was also present in the island has encouraged resort owners, tour operators and establishments in the island to comply with the necessary requirements such as certificate and authorities to operate from DOT, Philippine Commission on Sports and Scuba Diving (PCSSD), and Cebu Provincial Government in order for them to resume their operation. — GMR (FREEMAN)