FRESH AIR The Tondaligan beach in the village of Bonuan in Dagupan City welcomes back residents who can now enjoy swimming and other outdoor activities like jogging and biking amid the fresh breeze from Lingayen Gulf. —WILLIE LOMIBAO
DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan, Philippines — A public beach along the Lingayen Gulf was again teeming with visitors after it was reopened for the first time in six months.
With stringent health measures against the coronavirus, Tondaligan beach park welcomed back tourists and residents seeking respite during the pandemic.
According to Mayor Brian Lim, the city reopened the park on Sept. 7 and protocols on physical distancing can be imposed on the beach, an open area.
“People are mentally stressed and they need a place to unwind, but they still have to follow protocols so that the coronavirus won’t spread,” Lim said.
Lim said policemen and village watchmen had been deployed to remind guests of health protocols.
According to park administrator Jhun Gadiz, buoys have been placed in a kilometer-long stretch of the coastline that has been designated as a swimming area.
Bikers and joggers are allowed at the new Tondaligan baywalk while beachgoers can rest or eat under the sheds, Gadiz said.
Part of controlling the crowd is putting up a single entry and exit area.
“While no health certificates are needed to enter the park, senior citizens and those under 21 are not allowed there,” said Gadiz.
Baguio travel program
Despite a spike in coronavirus cases in Baguio City over the weekend, the local government is proceeding with Tuesday’s launch of a travel program called “Ridge and Reef,” that will open tourism destinations exclusively to city residents and those of La Union, Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte provinces.
On Sunday, 43 residents were tested positive for the virus, raising Baguio’s active cases to 176.
After an emergency meeting on Monday, Mayor Benjamin Magalong said tourism opening would start next week after Ilocos tour applicants were screened by a digital travel and surveillance system called Visitors Information and Travel Assistance (Visita), which would also be launched on Tuesday.
The Ilocos provinces will open their borders to tourists in October. Ilocos Norte has scheduled the opening on Oct. 1 and La Union, Oct. 10.
—Reports from Yolanda Sotelo and Vincent Cabreza