Bohol, Boracay to accept fully vaxxed tourists

MANILA, Philippines — Fully vaccinated tourists need to present only their vaccination cards when they visit Bohol and Boracay starting next month, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT).

“Aklan Governor (Florencio) Milaflores announced that in a month’s time, 100 percent of tourism workers and residents of Boracay would be fully vaccinated. They would accept fully vaccinated tourists who could show their proof of vaccination in lieu of RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) test,” Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat said.

Puyat said Bohol, which is currently under Alert Level 2, is also accepting fully vaccinated persons.

She announced yesterday that more tourists spots across the country are reopening, citing the drop in COVID cases and the increase in the number of fully vaccinated individuals for the easing of travel restrictions.

On Friday, Bohol Gov. Arthur Yap issued an executive order (EO) lifting the negative RT-PCR test requirement for fully vaccinated tourist.

Yap said non-vaccinated and partially vaccinated persons could still enter the province, but they need to present a negative swab test result taken not more than 72 hours prior to their arrival.

He said those caught with fake RT-PCR test results or vaccination certificates would be fined P5,000 and quarantined for five days in a DOT-accredited facility.

The EO would take effect tomorrow.

Upgraded Camiguin airport

Meanwhile, airport and tourism sites in Camiguin have undergone renovations in preparation for the reopening of the province to non-essential travelers.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Director General Jim Sydiongco led the inauguration of the upgraded Camiguin Airport on Friday.

The P132.2-million project covers the expansion of the passenger terminal building, construction of the administration building, construction of the CAAP security and intelligence service office and asphalt overlay of the runway.

“With the opening of our airport, we will again see the... revival of economy, the sweetness and boost in our tourism,” Tugade said.

Camiguin will start accepting visitors tomorrow.

A feasibility study on the development of the airport to accommodate larger aircraft has been proposed for next year.

Siquijor COVID cases dropped by 72%

In Siquijor, the number of COVID cases went down by 72 percent, Gov. Zaldy Villa said yesterday.

From a high of 2,000, Villa said the active cases in the province dropped to 544.

The occupancy rate at the Siquijor Provincial Hospital decreased from 140 to 65.

Villa attributed the improving situation in Siquijor to the strict implementation of health protocols and cooperation of residents.

“We are determined to establish our new normal conditions wherein our constituents remain healthy and protected from the virus,” he said during the Laging Handa briefing yesterday.

Villa said 38,063 of the 70,859 residents who have been vaccinated have received their second dose.

Siquijor is among the provinces placed under Alert Level 3. – Gerry Lee Gorit, Emmanuel Tupas