Local tourists enjoy the beauty of White Island in Camiguin, in this recently taken photo. (Jigger J. Jerusalem/davaotoday.com)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – The provincial government of Camiguin has come up with a pandemic response playbook in response to the threat of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) while awaiting the reopening of the local tourism industry.
The 94-page, six-chapter Clean Camiguin Pandemic Response Playbook 2020 is “a guidebook for a safe, responsive, adaptable, ready, responsible, and hopeful Camiguin.”
According to Camiguin Gov. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo, the playbook affords visitors to the island-province, known for its extraordinary ecosystems and pristine natural environment, a manifesto for the so-called “new normal” in tourism envisioned to be safe, secure and seamless as it continues to provide authentic and meaningful experiences.
It also expounds on how the province intends “to manage tourism as it braves forward in these challenging times, short of any date to open its doors to tourists.”
The playbook consists of protocols on public safety; response actions to follow the national mandate on test, trace, treat; adaptive measures and tourism new norms; and public access procedures.
Romualdo also said the provincial government has established “effective recovery protocols and developed meaningful action plans that optimize a holistic approach in its recovery efforts, way ahead of any reopening plans.”
“[Our] banner program on sustainable and responsible tourism proves most relevant today as we prepare to gradually reopen our doors to visitors in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic,” Romualdo said.
Also contained in this literature are the guidelines for tourism-related establishments as issued by the Department of Tourism; and a road map to a clean, resilient and sustainable destination.
“We are carefully striking a balance between health, economic, and environmental concerns. This is to ensure that our transition into the New Normal becomes the heart of a long-terms vision in keeping the island resilient towards global risks such as over tourism, climate change, and health emergencies,” Romualdo said.
It also aims to provide direction and guidance to host communities, business stakeholders, national and local government leaders, and tourists.
As one of the provinces with the least number of Covid-positive cases, Camiguin has been preparing for the reopening of its tourist destinations once the national government allows the tourism industry to fully resume its operations.
Like all the other businesses, the country’s tourism sector has been suffering because of the imposition of quarantine by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases.
The quarantines haveresulted to closure of resorts and other tourism-related establishments all across the Philippines. Camiguin is one of the areas of the country that has been enjoying a high number of tourist traffic due to its diverse attractions.
As of Oct. 20, Camiguin has only recorded a total of four Covid-19 cases. (davaotoday.com)
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