Manila Bulletin
Sen. Binay urges DOT to implement measures to counter UK, Australia travel advisories
Sen. Binay urges DOT to implement measures to counter UK, Australia travel advisories
Sen. Binay urges DOT to implement measures to counter UK, Australia travel advisories
By AJ Siytangco
Published Jan 4, 2019 03:28 pm
By Hannah Torregoza
In anticipation of tourist fallout, Senator Nancy Binay said the Department of Tourism (DOT) should implement measures that would counter United Kingdom and Australia’s travel warning advisory to their nationals.
Senator Nancy Binay
(Senate of the Philippines official Facebook page / MANILA BULLETIN) Binay, chair of the Senate’s committee on tourism, made the call following the travel advisories of the two countries on their nationals advising them not to travel to Mindanao. The travel warning was issued following the deadly New Year's Eve bombing in Cotabato City that killed two persons and wounded 35 others. “Dapat magdoble-kayod ang DOT sa pag-counter ng negative publicity na resulta ng mga travel advisory, (DOT should double the efforts to counter the negative publicity as a result of the travel advisory),” said Binay. “Of course, we have to respect these countries' prerogatives in issuing advisories out of concern for their citizens. There are times, though, that these advisories are unnecessary and sometimes exaggerated," the senator said. Binay called on the police and military to help ensure that accurate reports on the security situation in localities are provided to the embassies of other countries. But she said the burden lies in the Philippine government in convincing tourists that the country is a safe environment and their welfare is a top priority. Binay said: “close coordination with embassies, particularly in rectifying inaccurate reports and in updating peace and order measures, among others, should be undertaken.” “Kailangan may constant dialogue tayo sa iba't ibang bansa (with other countries). If we can, maybe let's use mediators, their own nationals who are happy and satisfied tourists in our country to help dispel their misconceptions,” she stressed. The lawmaker said these mediators can also be tapped for social media, “where issues could easily snowball and become unmanageable.” Both Australia and the UK have advised its citizens to avoid travel to central and western Mindanao due to reports of terrorist activity and kidnapping. Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade asked its citizens to reconsider travel to Mindanao, especially in Zamboanga Peninsula, Sulu archipelago and southern Sulu Sea. Australia also urged its citizens to exercise a “degree of caution” when traveling to the Philippines.
Senator Nancy Binay(Senate of the Philippines official Facebook page / MANILA BULLETIN) Binay, chair of the Senate’s committee on tourism, made the call following the travel advisories of the two countries on their nationals advising them not to travel to Mindanao. The travel warning was issued following the deadly New Year's Eve bombing in Cotabato City that killed two persons and wounded 35 others. “Dapat magdoble-kayod ang DOT sa pag-counter ng negative publicity na resulta ng mga travel advisory, (DOT should double the efforts to counter the negative publicity as a result of the travel advisory),” said Binay. “Of course, we have to respect these countries' prerogatives in issuing advisories out of concern for their citizens. There are times, though, that these advisories are unnecessary and sometimes exaggerated," the senator said. Binay called on the police and military to help ensure that accurate reports on the security situation in localities are provided to the embassies of other countries. But she said the burden lies in the Philippine government in convincing tourists that the country is a safe environment and their welfare is a top priority. Binay said: “close coordination with embassies, particularly in rectifying inaccurate reports and in updating peace and order measures, among others, should be undertaken.” “Kailangan may constant dialogue tayo sa iba't ibang bansa (with other countries). If we can, maybe let's use mediators, their own nationals who are happy and satisfied tourists in our country to help dispel their misconceptions,” she stressed. The lawmaker said these mediators can also be tapped for social media, “where issues could easily snowball and become unmanageable.” Both Australia and the UK have advised its citizens to avoid travel to central and western Mindanao due to reports of terrorist activity and kidnapping. Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade asked its citizens to reconsider travel to Mindanao, especially in Zamboanga Peninsula, Sulu archipelago and southern Sulu Sea. Australia also urged its citizens to exercise a “degree of caution” when traveling to the Philippines.