MINERVA BC NEWMAN
SIQUIJOR ISLAND-- Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat affirmed and support the re-opening of Siquijor tourism as part of DOT's revitalization of the local tourism in the country.
Puyat, in her February 24 visit in Siquijor said that her travels in local popular tourists’ destinations is part of the ongoing efforts to assist in the safe reopening of tourist destinations in the new normal, adding that the department supports Siquijor after Governor Zaldy Villa signified his eagerness to allow tourism in the province.
“As the DOT bids to fully reopen Siquijor to tourism and revitalize this sector, we continue to seek regular discussions with provincial and local government leaders and stakeholders, gaining insight into your preparedness to reopen as well as a deeper understanding of how we can best help industry stakeholders and citizens of your communities,” Puyat said while on the island-province.
Puyat bared that the areas of collaboration between the DOT, the public and private sector in supporting the reopening of Siquijor tourism include promotional branding campaigns and funding of the digital version of the province’s Healing Festival.
It also consists the continuous implementation of public health and safety protocols, development of tourism products, and enhancement of tourism circuits featuring farm, dive, and ecotourism, among others, Puyat added.
While on the Island, Puyat conducted physical inspections on accommodation establishments (AEs) and tourism enterprises. As of 15 February, 962 AEs were accredited in the region, 37 of which are in Siquijor.
According to DOT that through its regional office here the department had extended assistance to displaced tourism workers in Central Visayas in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act or Bayanihan 2.
DOT reported that as of February 19, the DOT-7 has endorsed 696 tourism enterprises, tour guide associations/individuals and community based-tourism associations with 24,588 beneficiaries and 40 of those tourism enterprises, community based-tourism and associations/individuals are from Siquijor Province, endorsed by the regional office.
There were 1,763 tourism enterprises, tour guide associations/individuals and community based-tourism associations that were approved and had been remitted by DOLE-7 with 13,367 individual beneficiaries amounting to Php 66,835,000 and 59 of those approved tourism enterprises, community based-tourism and associations/individuals are from Siquijor.
“Great progress has been made in making tourism bounce back, but there is still much we can all do to ensure the safe, responsible, and sustainable recovery of the tourism in Siquijor and the rest of the Philippines,” Puyat stated.
Meanwhile, Siquijor Governor Villa agreed with Puyat’s stance on the strict implementation of minimum public health standards for the successful reopening for tourism here.
Villa added that once Siquijor reopened,
incoming tourists in the province must present a negative RT-PCR or rapid
antigen test result; travel authority from the home local government unit (LGU);
confirmed booking with a DOT-accredited AE; and duly accomplished affidavit of
undertaking, among others.
While on the Island Puyat visited a local healer where she experienced “tuob” or steam inhalation and “bolo bolo” or a traditional healing ritual with the help of a glass of water, bamboo straw, and a black stone.
Puyat also visited the Old Enchanted Balete Tree and the Lazi Church and Convent, which was declared as a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines.
“Known as the Healing Island of Central Visayas, Siquijor has much to offer to nature lovers, adventure junkies, beach goers and divers, and culture enthusiasts, providing us ample reason to believe that the tourism sector in this province can successfully re-emerge from this crisis,” Puyat added.
Siquijor also boasts of its traditional healing culture, Cambugahay Falls, Paliton Beach, and Mt. Bandilaan, where the sought-after Healing Festival takes place. The province has recorded a total number of 143,286 same-day visitor arrivals and 37,651 overnight visitor arrivals in 2020.
Meanwhile, there are 17 road infrastructure projects under the DOT-Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) convergence program amounting to Php 95.535 million. The convergence road projects are critical to the goal of seamless travel in the province. (Photos: PIA/DOT)
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