Baguio City, Ilocos Region Cities, Provinces Readying For Tourism Bounce Back

September 2, 2020 JUST IN

BAGUIO CITY (September 2, 2020) – Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong has entered into an agreement with the Governors and representatives of the different provinces and cities in the Ilocos region in planning and setting guidelines and appropriate measures to rev up the economy, through the reopening of tourism.

In exploratory talks on Tuesday, Baguio City’s 111^th charter day rites, Magalong said Baguio City is targeting to open up tourism for locals and from Region 1 on September 21.

Officials of Region 1 dubbed as “LUPISIN” or La Union, Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte forged a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Baguio City to foster cooperation in research and formulation of concrete plans and guidelines in the reopening of tourism.

The City of Baguio is in its full preparations and setting up of needed measures, Magalong said, while doubling its efforts in capacitating its triage and testing centers.

Consultations with the stakeholders conceptualizing time frames and other necessary steps in transition to the new normal have started as early as April, Baguio City Tourism Officer Aloysius Mapalo said.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat, guest speaker of Baguio City’s charter day rites last Tuesday said more than 4 million from the tourism sector lost their jobs because of the pandemic. She said the reopening of tourism industry is so much needed provided that protocols will be strictly implemented and observed for safety.

While Ilocos Sur Governor Ryan Singson admitted they have to learn from the good practices of Baguio City. He added that their province can get good points from the experiences of Baguio in facing the COVID19 challenges.

Artemio A. Dumlao