Lapu-Lapu City sets guidelines for incoming tourists

CEBU, Philippines —  Lapu-Lapu City will soon welcome local tourists to its beaches and islets as the city government is now preparing for a safety guidelines for incoming guests.

The city is now drafting guidelines which will be embodied under Executive Order number 2020-068 for tourism activities now that the city is put under modified general community quarantine status.

City Tourism, Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (TCHAC) chairperson Cindi King-Chan has already called for a coordination meeting last Monday in preparation for the coastal cleanup tomorrow, and provisions of the draft EO were shown to the body for comments and feedbacks.

In the draft EO, Atty. Ailee Tejano, the secretary of Mayor Junard Chan, said that guests must only get the services of boatmen and other tourist-serving workers wearing city-issued accreditation identification card ensuring that the latter are COVID-free.

In a statement released by the City Public Information Office, Tejano said that all boats for island hopping and diving must embark and disembark only in Kontiki Port, Hilton Wharf, and Angasil Port as part of their health and safety protocol.

Earlier, Chan issued the omnibus guidelines on MGCQ or Executive Order No. 2020-048-N which allows visitors in the city.

Section 7 of the said EO which allows business establishments to operate stated in letter (f) number 5 that “Non-Lapu-Lapu residents may enter the City for tourism purposes to stay in any hotels and accommodations authorized to operate.”

The EO further stated in Section 10, No. 7 that movement of persons placed under MGCQ, “shall be permitted but only in so far as tourism travel is concerned.”

Early this month, the city already opened its doors to tourists as the mayor and his wife launched the tourism task force which aims to fully restore and promote quality tourism in the city’s scenic spots.   GMR (FREEMAN)