EDITORIAL - Good news

The good news is that the United Kingdom has lifted its travel advisory on southern Cebu over threats of terrorism following the deadly bomb explosions that rocked the Catholic cathedral in Jolo, Sulu, last month.

Perhaps the immediate response of Cebu authorities to the travel warning has prompted the UK government to change its stance. It seemed to realize that there no imminent danger to its nationals wanting to visit southern Cebu.

Last Thursday, the UK embassy in Manila took to Twitter to announce that the "FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) no longer advise against all but essential travel to South Cebu." However, it still advised “against all but essential travel to the remainder of Mindanao (excluding Camiguin, Dinagat and Siargao Islands) due to the threat of terrorism."

Of course, Cebu officials and the local tourism industry can heave a sigh of relief over the lifting of the travel advisory. Presidential Assistant to the Visayas Michael Dino, who thanked the UK government over this development, reiterated that southern Cebu has no direct terror threat.

Southern Cebu has been the subject of UK’s travel advisory over the ongoing peace and order problem in Mindanao due to the presence of terrorist groups. It constantly warned its citizens not to venture into the south – especially the towns of Badian, Dalaguete, and Oslob – over kidnapping threats.

Now, provincial officials, local government units and the tourism stakeholders can continue, with peace of mind, taking care of the business of promoting Cebu as a major tourist destination in the country.

With this positive development, authorities need to start exploring measures that would further enhance Cebu’s security and give international visitors no reason to exclude the province in the list of their destinations.