By Argyll Geducos
Malacañang announced that President Duterte's upcoming visit to Boracay on Thursday has been cancelled due to the threat of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo
(OPS / MANILA BULLETIN) Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made the statement after the Department of Health (DOH) announced Wednesday that the number of COVID-19 cases in the country has reached 49. In a statement, Panelo said Duterte's visit to the island was moved to a later date. "In light of recent developments and after careful review of the situation concerning the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country, President Duterte will not proceed to Boracay Island on Thursday, March 12, as earlier scheduled," he said. Aside from attending a gathering with tourism stakeholders, it was earlier announced that Duterte was supposed inspect the rehabilitation sites on Boracay Island and to distribute certificates of land ownership award to agrarian reform beneficiaries of Region VI. The Department of Tourism (DOT) earlier said President Duterte will be going to different tourist destinations in the country to promote local tourism amid the threat of COVID-19. Tourism Undersecretary Art Boncato added that Duterte's plan to visit local destinations will help push domestic tourism as the country continues to experience low tourist arrivals due the threat of COVID-19. He said the situation already caused a foregone revenue of around P14.8 billion. The Presidential Security Group (PSG) this week said it was going to strictly implement a "no-touch" policy on President Duterte as a preventive measure to ensure the safety of the Chief Executive and his family amid the local transmission of COVID-19. The PSG added that large crowd gatherings with President Duterte as the guest of honor and speaker shall be assessed and could be cancelled not only for his safety but also for the attendees.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo(OPS / MANILA BULLETIN) Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made the statement after the Department of Health (DOH) announced Wednesday that the number of COVID-19 cases in the country has reached 49. In a statement, Panelo said Duterte's visit to the island was moved to a later date. "In light of recent developments and after careful review of the situation concerning the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country, President Duterte will not proceed to Boracay Island on Thursday, March 12, as earlier scheduled," he said. Aside from attending a gathering with tourism stakeholders, it was earlier announced that Duterte was supposed inspect the rehabilitation sites on Boracay Island and to distribute certificates of land ownership award to agrarian reform beneficiaries of Region VI. The Department of Tourism (DOT) earlier said President Duterte will be going to different tourist destinations in the country to promote local tourism amid the threat of COVID-19. Tourism Undersecretary Art Boncato added that Duterte's plan to visit local destinations will help push domestic tourism as the country continues to experience low tourist arrivals due the threat of COVID-19. He said the situation already caused a foregone revenue of around P14.8 billion. The Presidential Security Group (PSG) this week said it was going to strictly implement a "no-touch" policy on President Duterte as a preventive measure to ensure the safety of the Chief Executive and his family amid the local transmission of COVID-19. The PSG added that large crowd gatherings with President Duterte as the guest of honor and speaker shall be assessed and could be cancelled not only for his safety but also for the attendees.