Malacañang has backed the proposed establishment of uniform travel requirements in local destinations to boost the country’s tourism industry.
Having common travel protocols in local government units would facilitate ease of movement for prospective visitors, according to Presidential spokesman Harry Roque.
"Well, iyan po iyong ating hinihikayat, ang mga lokal na pamahalaan na bumuo ng common protocol ‘no dahil mahirap po talagang magbiyahe kung paiba-iba iyong mga requirements (Well, we encouraged local government units to craft common protocols because it's difficult to travel if the requirements are different)," Roque said during a televised press briefing Monday, Feb. 8.
"Pero hinihikayat po natin sila hindi lang po sa IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases) kung hindi pati doon sa panig ng DOTr (Department of Transportation) at sa panig ng CAAP (Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines) (But we encourage them, not only the IATF but also the DOTr and the CAAP)," he added.
With the imminent immunization program, Roque also expressed hope that more Filipinos would resume travels across the country. The vaccination drive is expected to begin as soon as the country's initial supply of coronavirus vaccines arrives this month.
"Ngayong mayroon na tayong bakuna kasama iyong ating mask, hugas at iwas, eh talaga pong lalo pang dadami iyong mga bumibiyahe at magiging dahilan para maengganyo ang iba’t ibang local government units na magkaroon na nga ng common national protocol. (Now that we will have vaccines, alongside protocols such as wearing of masks, washing of hands, and physical distancing, we expect more people will travel and this will encourage the different local government units to have a common national protocol)," he said.
Roque made the statement after domestic carriers reportedly called for uniform protocols for domestic travelers to revive the ailing industry and boost tourism growth. The tourism sector is among the severely hit industries in the country as the movement of Filipinos were restricted to curb the spread of the pandemic.
Back in November, the government pandemic task force started to relax the age restrictions for tourists allowed to visit areas under modified general community quarantine. The relaxed movement is subject to the guidelines of concerned local government units, the Department of Tourism and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Recently, the government task force allowed Baguio City to reopen to tourists subject to minimum public health standards even though the summer capital is under general community quarantine (GCQ).
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat earlier voiced support for the uniform set of travel guidelines in domestic destinations. She expressed concern that it would be confusing and cumbersome if the local government units have different requirements for visitors.