“Ridge to Reef” tourism program of Sec Berna Romulo Puyat

September 24, 2020 JUST IN

Baguio Auto Club, Rotary Club of Baguio Summer Capital, JCI Baguio, Baguio Jaycees Senate, Baguio Apachees and BALAI supports “Ridge to Reef” tourism program of Sec Berna Romulo Puyat as it urges it’s time to safely “move on”.
BAGUIO CITY, Sept 21,2020 – “We are in support of the gradual, cautious and safe opening of Baguio’s borders to tourists. It is of vital importance to balance our people’s need to be secure in their health and in their jobs or businesses to be able to feed themselves and their families.”
Thus, declared the Baguio Auto Club (BAC) spokesman Timmy Mondiguing as they threw their full support to the “Ridge and Reef” tourism bubble plan of Tourism Sec. Bernadette Romulo-Puyat together with Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong and the Governors of Region I.
The BAC has been in existence for more than 30 years and is composed of highly responsible and respected individuals most of whom are businessmen, he disclosed.
“Before the pandemic, club members have been going around the country once a month as a stress reliever from work. We feel relaxed moving from one place to another and at the same time the adrenaline gives us a sense of relief. When the lockdown started, however, all our vehicles have been parked,” Mondiguing lamented.
Earlier, Puyat explained that the endeavor’s success will be used as a template in the re-opening of the tourism industry in other parts of the country to address the urgent need of workers in tourism-related establishments that ceased operations during the implementation of the community quarantine due to the on-going coronavirus-2019 pandemic.
“Tourism will open cautiously, slowly and safely so that we will be able to strike a balance between the health and safety of the people and the economy because of the growing need of the people for sustainable jobs,” she said during a recent meeting with Baguio and Region I officials at the Baguio Country Club.
For his part, Mondiguing said the BAC joins the DOT in fully supporting the initiative of the officials to work together in finding ways to gradually open the economy for the benefit of the displaced workers wanting to have sustainable sources of income to uplift the living condition of their families.
He pointed out that the “Ridge and Reef” tourism bubble is a “give and take” situation where those from the lowlands can enjoy the natural year-round “air condition” or cool climate of Baguio while we from the Summer Capital can frolic in their beautiful beaches.
“It is high time that we all accept the new normal since no one knows when an effective vaccine against the Covid-19 disease will become available to the public. While it is a fact that health protocols must be in place to protect people’s health, it is also true that we need jobs to sustain ourselves and our loved ones,” he stressed.
The city tourism office recently came out with an advisory reminding the public to “not get too excited” since online registration, a requirement, is yet to be launched on Octiber 1, 2020.
A set criteria and other requirements have also been put in place as to who can be allowed to avail of the travel program for the meantime with detailed guidelines out soon.
Mondiguing pointed out the need for the city to cautiously, gradually and safely “move on” by opening its borders since the tourism industry plays a huge role in the Summer Capital’s economy including job creation.
“For the past months, we have all been patient and diligent in adhering to various health protocols and other orders. It is now time to accept the new normal to safely and slowly move on,” he said.
Mondiguing revealed that several BAC members whose vehicles are in tip-top condition conducted a dry run last weekend while the rest are having their cars tuned up for this coming bauang weekend ride.