Cebu now accepts tourists from other provinces

CEBU, Philippines —  In a bid to revive the ailing tourism industry badly hit by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the Province of Cebu is opening up its doors to tourists from around the country.

The Provincial Tourism Task Force decided during a meeting on Thursday, February 11, 2021, to welcome guests from other parts of the country into the island.

It was agreed during the meeting presided over by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia that guests coming to Cebu who wish to stay in hotels or resorts should book their reservations in advance.

Those who want to experience the different tourism activities in the province like the canyoneering in Badian and the whale shark watching in Oslob should register through the province’s tourism online portal https://discover.cebu.gov.ph/ .

In a report by Sugbo News, the Capitol's news platform, Garcia cited the omnibus guidelines on the implementation of community quarantine in the Philippines issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) allowing people from areas under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) and General Community Quarantine (GCQ) to cross borders provided that health protocols are observed.

 “Interzonal movement of persons not authorized outside of residences or non-APOR between areas placed under GCQ and MGCQ for any purpose shall be permitted subject to reasonable regulations imposed by the LGU concerned, if any,” Section 7 (3) of the guidelines read.

Garcia said that people from other provinces in the country can now come to Cebu either to visit some relatives here, for business, or for tourism.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Director Jhoaden Lucero said the opening up of tourism industry in the province is a step forward to economic recovery since many are already suffering from the effect of the pandemic, especially those who lost their jobs and source of livelihood.

“Because of these constraints (community restrictions) lisud gyud kaayo, especially those in the tourism industry,” Lucero said.

The members of the tourism task force are set to meet again next week to finalize the guidelines. Tour operators, shipping and airline companies are invited to join the meeting. — FPL (FREEMAN)