BANAUE, Ifugao – Regulated tourism arrivals and activities in this town except in barangay Batad has been allowed starting Dec. 17.
Mayor John Raymund Wesley Dulawan issued Executive Order 32 allowing the soft reopening of tourism activities in the municipality to enable local businesses and residents recover from their economic loses subject to adherence to minimum health standards, protocols, and other guidelines.
EO 32 states that only fully vaccinated adults and minors are allowed entry. Children below 12 years old are not allowed entry.
Only 100 tourists daily with advance booking/travel and accommodation arrangements are allowed entry. This does not include government workers who are on official travel, guests of residents and day-tour visitors.
Tourists should first register with the Banaue Tourism Facebook account, upload a vaccination card or certificate and then bring a printed copy or screenshot of approved online registration and travel booking confirmation for verification.
Tourists should submit themselves at the triage area for health screening. Symptomatic visitors, regardless of vaccination status, will be isolated and tested at their expense and referred to local health officials for appropriate action. A P50 environment fee will be collected at the triage area.
Government workers on official business must present travel orders and vaccination cards. Guests and relatives of residents who will be hosted by residents need not register as tourist but must still be fully vaccinated.
Dulawan enjoined tourists and other visitors to always observe the minimum health standards and protocols and avoid gatherings and crowding. Non-complying tourists shall be reprimanded and if still unyielding, shall be advised to go home.
Hotels, restaurants, lodging houses and other accommodation establishments, transport groups who shall violate the order shall be dealt with accordingly by law. – Marcelo B. Lihgawon
