Give ‘staycations’ a chance, Palace says as tourism sector gradually reopens

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Monday appealed to the public to give “staycation” a chance as this marks the start of gradually reopening the tourism industry.

“Staycations” have been allowed in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) as long as guests would be staying in hotels located in the same region as their residence, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said.

“Sang-ayon po sa second National Action Plan ng ating National Task Force, unti unti nating binubuksan ang ekonomiya at itong pinaplano po natin ng DOT ay alinsunod naman po sa unti unting pagbubukas ng sector ng turismo,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in an online briefing.

(This is in accordance to the second National Action Plan of the National Task Force where we will gradually reopen our economy and this plan with the DOT is also aligned with the reopening of the tourism sector.)

“So kumbaga po, that marks the beginning of the reopening of tourism industry here in Metro Manila. Let’s give it a chance dahil gaya po ng ating ad campaign, puwede naman po pagingatan ang buhay para po makapaghanapbuhay ang lahat,” he went on.

(In a way, this marks the beginning of the reopening of the tourism industry here in Metro Manila. Let’s give it a chance because just like our ad campaign, we can take care of lives while making a living.)

Tourism was among the sectors badly hit after the government imposed lockdowns to prevent coronavirus transmission.

Metro Manila, Bulacan, Batangas and Tacloban City are under GCQ until September 30 while the rest of the country is under the most lenient lockdown or modified GCQ.

Bacolod City, Lanao del Sur and Iligan City are the only areas under stricter lockdown or modified enhanced community quarantine.

EDV