Baguio Visitors Encouraged to Hold Travels, Says Atty. Alberto of the City Mayor’s Office
In an interview conducted by ANC on Tuesday, February 2, 2021, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong mentioned that they are waiting for the decision of the Department of Tourism (DOT) to determine whether or not the city could accept tourists while it is under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ).
Mayor Magalong bared that they have written to Tourism Chief Bernadette Romulo-Puyat requesting to allow limited tourists in Baguio City. “During GCQ talagang bawal ang tourists, but you can appeal. We just wrote Secretary Berna and they are now deliberating on it… para maka-accept kami,” said the mayor.
Meanwhile, during the UGNAYAN that went live on the Public Information Office of the City of Baguio Facebook page earlier today (Wednesday), February 3, 2021, some questions involving tourists who already have approved QTPs have been answered by Atty. Althea Alberto of the City Mayor’s Office.
It was asked if those who already have an approved QTP this February can still proceed as tourists even if the city is under GCQ. “Paano daw kapag approved ang kanilang QTP sa visita.gov.ph this February, puwede pa rin ho ba silang tumuloy bilang turista kahit GCQ?” And here is Atty. Alberto’s answer:
“For now po we are encouraging our visitors who are non-residents to hold their travels muna in the meantime that we have not yet received the approval of the DOT and the IATF. Although we did give our letter of request already, we’re hoping that maybe, probably this week or next week we have a favorable response from them. Once that that’s here already, perhaps we can already accommodate non-resident tourist po.”
– Atty. Althea Rosanna Alberto on UGNAYAN, February 3, 2021
Then another question followed. “Already have QTP for February 12 to 15, but I’m reading conflicting statements. Tourist visiting Baguio. Are we still allowed to enter Baguio this GCQ?”
Atty. Alberto again emphasized that they encourage non-resident tourists to hold their travels. “While we have not yet secured the approval from the IATF and the DOT, we encourage our non-resident tourists again to hold their travels until that time po,” she answered.
Furthermore, another question with regards to tourists who already have QTP was asked during the UGNAYAN: “Marami nang nakapag-register to come up to Baguio prior yung declaration ng GCQ na bagong classification ng quarantine for Baguio City, merong gusto pa ring mag tuloy kaya lang they don’t know what to do. What advise are you giving them? Siguro mas mabuti ipaalam na lang natin through an advisory…”
“I think it started this morning, si sir Alec Mapalo, our tourism officer, already started interviews already addressing that so ongoing pa rin po. Still, it’s the same, technically tourism is not allowed under GCQ that why we made our request to the DOT and we have to respect the national guidelines. So for now, non-residents po, postpone or hold po muna yung travels. Pero we do expect or hope that we can have a good response from the DOT soon po,” said Atty. Alberto.
Watch the Full UGNAYAN Video Here
Related Article:
Are Tourists Allowed in Baguio City During GCQ? “Technically Bawal Pa,” Says Mayor Magalong, However
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Source: Public Information Office – City of Baguio