COVID-19 threat hurts tourism, other industries in Eastern Visayas
Published Mar 16, 2020 12:00 am
By Marie Tonette Marticio
TACLOBAN City – The strict measures instituted in different parts of the world and the restrictions imposed in the national and local levels due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) threat have caused the temporary closure of several popular and frequently visited tourist sites in Eastern Visayas.
After experiencing damages by Typhoon 'Ursula' in December, the Canhugas Nature Park in Hernani, Eastern Samar has been closed to tourists amid the COVID-19 threat. The LGU-run tourist site employs about 20 tour guides and maintenance personnel. (PHOTO VIA MARIE MARTICIO/ MANILA BULLETIN)
In Samar province, local government units (LGUs) and the Protected Area Management Bureau (PAMB) have issued advisories on the closure of Sohoton Cave, Balantak Falls, and Saob Cave in Basey; Lulugayan Falls and Langun Gobingob Cave in Calbuga; Extreme Torpedo Boat and Paranas Eco-Trail in Paranas; San Juan by the Bay in Sta. Rita; Calbayog Zipline and Malajog Nature Park; and Lobo Cave in Jiabong town.
In Leyte province, Kalanggaman Island in Palompon; Canigao Island in Matalom; and Cuatro Islas of Inopacan and Hindang towns were likewise ordered closed by their respective LGUs.
In Southern Leyte, the Macrohon Bird and Marine Sanctuary, and Cambaro Cave in the municipality of Macrohon were declared closed until further notice.
Eastern Samar's Canhugas Nature Park and Guinduyanan Cove in Hernani; Divinubo and Ando Island in Borongan City were also closed, while the Higatangan Island in Naval; and Sambawan Island in Maripipi, Biliran Province are not accepting tourists at this time.
Although the region remains COVID-19 free, Department of Tourism (DOT) 8 regional director Karen Tiopes maintained that their prime concern is the wellbeing and wellness of each and every Filipino.
According to her, the sector affected the most in the global health emergency is the tourism industry.
"The plunge in visitor arrivals and income from tourism is now a reality that we in the tourism industry should accept, try to mitigate and find ways to overcome," she noted.
She added that the latest developments are hurting tourism businesses and the tourism social enterprises, particularly people’s organizations, in the region.
"DOT 8 is one with our private sector and stakeholders in wanting to keep the industry afloat and to protect the tourism businesses and jobs in the region. However, we also respect the decisions of the concerned LGUs knowing that the main reasons behind these closures are to support the national government's decisive move to put to a stop to community transmissions of this life-threatening virus, and to protect the health of the populace," she pointed out.
With the closure of popular tourism sites in the region, and drop of local tourism, An Waray Rep. Florencio 'Bem' Noel noted that other sectors would likewise suffer although the region is not solely dependent in the tourism industry.
He noted that with the tourism industry being worst affected, all other industries would follow to experience difficulties including transport, labor, and food industry.
"Although we are not dependent in the tourism industry, it is still a big thing especially during summer because a lot of businesses only thrive and save up during this time," Noel lamented.
Tiopes said they were faced with scenarios wherein they have to make a choice between allowing people to freely go around, and risk the surge in the number affected community members, "or take the bitter pill and sacrifice now while the situation has not yet reached to a level where transmission and infection will be extremely difficult to stop."
She then called on the tourism stakeholders to stay positive despite all that is happening.
"Our tourism journey today is rough, but we have to keep our heads above the water to survive. The situations we are faced with are tough and bleak but have to bring back to life our inner strength and resolve to be resilient. The realities are harsh and seem insurmountable, but we have to keep the faith and remain hopeful. We survived even tougher times. There is no reason why we can't survive the impact of COVID19," Tiopes ended.
After experiencing damages by Typhoon 'Ursula' in December, the Canhugas Nature Park in Hernani, Eastern Samar has been closed to tourists amid the COVID-19 threat. The LGU-run tourist site employs about 20 tour guides and maintenance personnel. (PHOTO VIA MARIE MARTICIO/ MANILA BULLETIN)
In Samar province, local government units (LGUs) and the Protected Area Management Bureau (PAMB) have issued advisories on the closure of Sohoton Cave, Balantak Falls, and Saob Cave in Basey; Lulugayan Falls and Langun Gobingob Cave in Calbuga; Extreme Torpedo Boat and Paranas Eco-Trail in Paranas; San Juan by the Bay in Sta. Rita; Calbayog Zipline and Malajog Nature Park; and Lobo Cave in Jiabong town.
In Leyte province, Kalanggaman Island in Palompon; Canigao Island in Matalom; and Cuatro Islas of Inopacan and Hindang towns were likewise ordered closed by their respective LGUs.
In Southern Leyte, the Macrohon Bird and Marine Sanctuary, and Cambaro Cave in the municipality of Macrohon were declared closed until further notice.
Eastern Samar's Canhugas Nature Park and Guinduyanan Cove in Hernani; Divinubo and Ando Island in Borongan City were also closed, while the Higatangan Island in Naval; and Sambawan Island in Maripipi, Biliran Province are not accepting tourists at this time.
Although the region remains COVID-19 free, Department of Tourism (DOT) 8 regional director Karen Tiopes maintained that their prime concern is the wellbeing and wellness of each and every Filipino.
According to her, the sector affected the most in the global health emergency is the tourism industry.
"The plunge in visitor arrivals and income from tourism is now a reality that we in the tourism industry should accept, try to mitigate and find ways to overcome," she noted.
She added that the latest developments are hurting tourism businesses and the tourism social enterprises, particularly people’s organizations, in the region.
"DOT 8 is one with our private sector and stakeholders in wanting to keep the industry afloat and to protect the tourism businesses and jobs in the region. However, we also respect the decisions of the concerned LGUs knowing that the main reasons behind these closures are to support the national government's decisive move to put to a stop to community transmissions of this life-threatening virus, and to protect the health of the populace," she pointed out.
With the closure of popular tourism sites in the region, and drop of local tourism, An Waray Rep. Florencio 'Bem' Noel noted that other sectors would likewise suffer although the region is not solely dependent in the tourism industry.
He noted that with the tourism industry being worst affected, all other industries would follow to experience difficulties including transport, labor, and food industry.
"Although we are not dependent in the tourism industry, it is still a big thing especially during summer because a lot of businesses only thrive and save up during this time," Noel lamented.
Tiopes said they were faced with scenarios wherein they have to make a choice between allowing people to freely go around, and risk the surge in the number affected community members, "or take the bitter pill and sacrifice now while the situation has not yet reached to a level where transmission and infection will be extremely difficult to stop."
She then called on the tourism stakeholders to stay positive despite all that is happening.
"Our tourism journey today is rough, but we have to keep our heads above the water to survive. The situations we are faced with are tough and bleak but have to bring back to life our inner strength and resolve to be resilient. The realities are harsh and seem insurmountable, but we have to keep the faith and remain hopeful. We survived even tougher times. There is no reason why we can't survive the impact of COVID19," Tiopes ended.