BAGUIO CITY — Four provinces in Region 1 covered by the initial stage of the Ridge and Reef tourism corridor will open their tourism destinations in October, officials said on Tuesday.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong, in a press conference following the launch of the Ridge and Reef tourism bubble with the four provinces, said this city is looking at October 1 as a possible date when tourists from Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte will be allowed to visit this city.
Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc, is also looking at October 1 when Baguio residents will be allowed to see their outdoor attractions.
La Union Governor Francisco Emmanuel Ortega III, on the other hand, wants the opening of his province to Region 1 tourists by mid- October.
During the launch, a representative of Ilocos Sur Governor Ryan Luis Singson said they are also eyeing October 1, while the representative of Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino III said they will wait for the unified online registration before allowing neighboring tourists to their area.
Region 1 provinces have been opened to their neighboring provinces when their areas were placed under general community quarantine (GCQ) after the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) ruled to allow tourists.
The Ridge and Reef Baguio-Region 1 travel corridor is the first tourism convergence between local governments that will serve as a model for the project.
“We are launching the reopening of our tourism but we are delaying the implementation. Region 1 provinces have some preparations to iron out and we are glad we are delaying considering the spike in cases on Sunday (Sept. 20),” Mayor Magalong said.
Magalong said that Baguio will start at 200 tourists a day, which can increase or decrease depending on the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) situation.
The four provinces in Region 1 are starting to allow only 50 tourists.
“We have rules, we want the tourists to follow them. Those who will break the rules will be sent out and banned from entering the city,” Magalong said.** Liza Agoot, PNA
