By Argyll Cyrus Geducos  Malacañang expressed confidence that President Duterte's visits to the country's major islands will help boost the tourism industry amid concerns over the threat of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in the Philippines. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made the statement after Duterte said in a video message last week that he will travel around the country and urged Filipinos to join him, saying they should first explore the wonders of the Philippines before traveling abroad. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo
(OPS / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) In his Monday press briefing, Panelo said Duterte's presence in different parts of the Philippines will encourage tourists to visit the different destinations in the archipelago. "He's a magnet. He's always a magnet. His presence attracts people an event," he said. In another press briefing in Malacañang, Tourism Undersecretary Art Boncato said the Department of Tourism (DOT) was still coordinating with the Office of the President about the itinerary for the President's island-hopping venture which will start later this month or early March. "It has to be immediate so it's going to be in the next couple of weeks. We're lining up destinations like Boracay, Cebu, even Bohol as part of the initial list of destinations the President will most probably visit within the next couple of weeks," he said. "Definitely . The intention is really to visit as many destinations as possible." Boncato added the DOT would have wanted Duterte's tourism activities to happen weekly, but said the President may not be able to do so because of his busy schedule. "Kung kami po ang tatanungin, mas maganda po sana, pero siyempre ang Pangulo ang schedule niya ay medyo puno (If you're going to ask us, that would be good but of course, the President has a full schedule)," he said. "So handa po kami, kahit na ang mga local government units at tsaka private sector in the regions, handa na sa pagbisita ng Pangulo (But we are ready, including the local government units and the private sector in the regions, for the President's visit)." Boncato agreed that Duterte's plan to visit local destinations will help push domestic tourism as the country continues to experience low tourist arrivals amid the threat of COVID-19. He said the situation has resulted in foregone revenue of around P14.8 billion. However, he said it was still difficult to tell if a boost in local tourism will compensate for the losses incurred from the low foreign tourist arrivals, especially with the travel ban imposed on China, Hong Kong, and Macau. READ MORE: Duterte: Chinese arriving from other countries except China allowed entry into PH "We have to be very aggressive sa pagbigay ng posibleng solusyon sa impact (in giving possible solutions given the impact of the situation). Because ngayon lang (it’s only now), for the first time, natigil ang mga (there were no) flights coming from these destinations," Boncato said. READ MORE: China virus toll reaches 1,765 as new cases rise: govt "Pero (But) if we look at the value of domestic tourism in 2018, nasa (there was a) total of P3.3 trillion as opposed to foreign which is around P2.2 trillion," he added. READ MORE: DOH: nCoV PUIs now at 264