CALAMBA CITY, Oct 5 (PIA) - The Department of Tourism - CALABARZON (DOT-4A) is reopening the region for local tourism.
In an interview with the Philippine Information Agency Region 4A's Sulong CALABARZON online program, DOT-4A Chief Tourism Operations Officer Marites T. Castro admitted that the region's tourism industry suffered losses, as a result of the Taal volcano eruption and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
According to the DOT, the tourism industry reported an P113.7 M initial loss in operations.
“Hindi talaga naka-recover ang ating stakeholders sa Taal dahil halos nagkasabay sila ng pandemic. Double whammy kumbaga sa ating tourism industry kaya malaki ang naging epekto,” Castro admitted.
These events restricted the operations of resorts, hotels, restaurants and other tourist destinations in the region amid the stay at home order of the national government.
Reopening for business
Each of the region’s five provinces houses at least one tourism spot, on which communities rely on for their livelihood.
Although reopening the region has its risks, the DOT-4A knew that allowing the tourism sector to reopen will help keep the regional economy afloat.
With the Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) allowing local tourism to reboot, Castro said it is up to the LGU’s compliance to health standards to allow their tourism sector to operate. To date, the regional tourism office has already issued certificates to operate to 1,554 accommodation facilities.
“Although nagbigay sila ng listing, we are verifying if ready na ba talaga. Sa malalaking establishments, we conduct virtual assessments, while smaller establishments can send photos,” Castro said.
Castro added that some tourist attractions, including a theme park in Santa Rosa City and around 600 hot spring resorts in Calamba City, were already given a permit to operate.
Meanwhile, the DOT-4A and the local tourism offices are still inspecting Tagaytay City, as well as various golf courses and resorts in Cavite and Laguna for their compliance with health regulations.
Sustainable tourism
The DOT’s tourism development plan prioritizes not only reopening destinations that meet the guidelines issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, but also developing local products to help tourism-related industries to recover.
In fact, the tourism department has partnered with the Department of Health - CALABARZON in rolling out a health and tourism project.
They also launched a local tourism program, which banks on the local government’s ability to restart industries and control infection.
Post pandemic response
For the DOT, keeping the industry afloat also means helping business owners get back on their feet.
“[For now] we are endorsing them to financial institutions. Hopefully, with the Bayanihan Act, ‘yung mga nawalan ng trabaho ay matutulungan rin natin,” Castro said.
On top of financial assistance, the tourism department is also hosting regional job fairs to help displaced tourism workers find other job opportunities.
“Kami sa DOT ay handang tumulong lalong lalo na sa pag-issue ng mga certificate. Maaari nyo kaming tawagan at handa kaming mag-assist,” the region’s chief tourism operations officer said, assuring stakeholders that their lines are always open for any concern. (PTB/FSC)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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