Baguio open to Region I tourists starting Sept. 21 —DOT chief

The Baguio City government will allow the resumption of tourism in the summer capital starting September 2, but only for residents in Region I.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV on Thursday, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said Baguio, La Union, Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur will be part of a “tourism bubble” in a bid to boost the economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Puyat said they will use a visitors online registration system to manage the arrival of tourists in Baguio.

“Region I muna kasi lahat sila under ng MGCQ (modified general community quarantine) so simulan muna natin and kung successful tayo, paunti-unti at tsaka magdadagdag ng other regions,” she said.

“Dry run muna ito… Ang importante kasi puwede ang mga tiga-Baguio na pumunta ng Region I and mga tiga-Region I puwede sa Baguio… ’Yong protocols din pareho,” she added.

Puyat said Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong wanted only 200 tourists per day and only certain tourist spots will be opened.

“Para rin kontrolado at may contact tracing,” she said.

She also said the city government will be working closely with the Department of Tourism, particularly with tour operators, to manage the visiting tourists.

Meanwhile, tourists are also required to undergo either a swab or antigen test before being allowed to enter the city.

“Puwedeng magpa-swab test muna bago pumunta pero puwede ring pagdating mo doon ka papa-swab pero pagka-swab, doon ka muna sa loob ng kwarto. ‘Di ka papayagan lumabas hangga’t ‘di ka negative,” Puyat said.

“We’re hoping na ‘yong antigen testing ay ma-approve kasi ito within 15 minutes may resulta na… pero siyempre hinihintay pa namin ang omnibus guidelines from the (Department of Health),” she added. --KBK, GMA News