By Joel B. Belinan
Last week Mayor Benjamin Magalong issued an order that eased some of the restrictions being implemented in Baguio City. The most prominent is that people will no longer need to have a pass to enter malls and big establishments. A pass however is still needed to enter the public market. As of this writing the city’s Public Information Office (PIO) issued new market schedules which showed that instead of the 3X a week only market schedule per family, they now give us 4x or 5x a week . The advisory also lifted the temporary liquor ban which may have been the most appreciated part for some groups in the city.
Then last Tuesday September 1 during our 111th Charter Anniversary, Burnham Park’s two iconic leisure activities, biking and boating, were allowed. Furthermore, senior citizens and under 21 years old residents can now go out without much restrictions. Yes families can now go to the park or their favorite dining restaurants for their much needed bonding outside of their homes.
The mayor, however, emphasized that while restrictions were eased people should be more responsible in following the minimum health protocols which are to wear masks always, maintain physical distancing, and to wear face shields when riding public utility vehicles. Establishments, however, like banks and malls require the wearing of face shields while in their premises.
The Burnham Park’s full re-opening to the city’s residents for me is very significant. It is actually a very good sign of the impending scenario of Baguio’s re-opening to the whole world. As of now, the regulations on who can enter the city remains.
Our local leaders in cooperation with the national government are paving the way for an eventual going back to normal, not just the new-normal. As Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said in her keynote address during the Baguio charter day program at the Baguio Convention Center said, “Given these protocols in place, Baguio can anticipate reopening cautiously, first to its CAR neighbors and visitors from Region 1. Tourists will be regulated and monitored through the Baguio V.I.S.I.T.A. (Visitor Information and Travel Assistance). Anyone who wishes to enter Baguio must pre-register and pre-book accommodations. Upon entry, tourists will undergo mandatory triage and PCR testing at their own expense. The movements of the tourists shall be closely monitored by tour operators or hotel managements, and the city will limit the capacity of visitors to 200 or up to 1000 a day, depending on risk levels”.
As of late Tuesday afternoon, a Facebook post states that by September 21, visitors from Ilocos Norte, Ilocos sur, La Union and Pangasinan would be allowed entry to Baguio. This appears to be a result of the tourism convention among the executives of LGUs in Region I and Baguio and Benguet convened by the Department of Tourism. Of course people from the CAR have always been allowed entry to the city. But as had already been said, everyone has to go through the triage system, etc.
With this development, at least, we can now be assured that indeed in the City of Baguio there is a direction or a plan being followed that may eventually pave the way for its opening to the world. Observing how netizens in all social media platforms responded to this development, there remains a big segment of our people that oppose the opening. I can understand that knowing how the social media have bombarded us with all sorts of fake news the past six months. It appears though that more and more people are leveling up to the real situation which is to learn how to live with Covid-19. That virus will not leave in the very near future, until the much needed vaccine or if there would be a cure for it.
We really have to open up not just for economic reasons. As one responder said, the government reported 15 suicides that may be associated to the imposition of the lockdown since March. Compare that to the 8 deaths due to Covid-19 and you will appreciate the gravity of the situation. Hopefully, we have learned enough how to handle things in the next few months until Mr/Ms. Vaccine finally arrives. **
