MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar, the designated Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security of Region 10 (CORDS X), is looking forward to the gradual reopening of leisure travel and tourism in Northern Mindanao.
“As we all know, our tourism industry is one of the leading contributors to our economic development nationwide. So, I am looking forward to the safe and gradual reopening of the tourism destinations here in Region 10,” he said in one of his site visitation activities in Bukidnon with the regional Department of Tourism (DOT-10) on Wednesday.
According to Secretary Andanar, this will help displaced workers to finally return to their work and source of income.
“The landscape of our leisure travel experiences has been adversely affected because of this COVID-19 pandemic. But with our continuous efforts, I also hope to finally witness our displaced workers in the tourism sector return to working and earning again and be able to provide for their families,” he said.
“I hope the people of Bukidnon and the rest of Region 10 can have the confidence to visit the beautiful places in Northern Mindanao,” he added.
He reminded the public to be vigilant in order to protect themselves from infection and everyone around them, while commending the strict quarantine implementation in Bukidnon.
He said that while cases of COVID-19 are still reported locally, people should do their part in ensuring that the key strategies of the government in prevention, detection, isolation, treatment, and reintegration are enforced.
The PCOO chief visited the Monastery of the Transfiguration, the home of Benedictine monks in the province. He also went to the Impasug-ong Municipal Communal Ranch, a 640-hectare government-owned land often visited by tourists because of its panoramic view of Bukidnon mountain ridges.
The DOT-10 is preparing for a tourism bubble by replicating Baguio City’s current strategies for the gradual and safe revival of the sector to tourists from nearby provinces this year.
The DOT-10 have partnered with PCOO for the promotional video of some of the leisure travel destinations in Bukidnon, apart from its “Tourism in the New Normal” series featuring the preparation and compliance with the “new normal” health and safety guidelines by local accommodation establishments.
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