Oriental Mindoro guv issues guidelines for entry of tourists into province

CITY OF CALAPAN – Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito Dolor issued Executive Order (EO) No. 1, Series of 2021, which sets the guidelines for the entry of tourists into the province.

Under EO 1-2021, a copy of which was posted by the governor on his Facebook page Sunday, March 14, tourists entering the province should still secure a negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result to show that they are free of COVID-19.

The RT-PCR test result, however, can be waived if the city or town that the tourist will be visiting, issues an executive order stating that the test result is no longer a requirement as per the recommendation of the Local Tourism Council and the city/municipal Inter-Agency Task Force.

The tourist can then only stay within the jurisdiction of the local government unit where the negative RT-PCR result is not required.

On March 10, Puerto Galera Mayor Rocky Ilgan ordered their town’s reopening to tourists by removing the requirement for the RT-PCR test. He posted a 2-page letter about his “difficult decision” on the evening of Feb. 26.

EO 21-2021 for Puerto Galera is known as the “Governing Guidelines for the opening of Balatero Port/Muelle Port and Villaflor Border as Points of Entry and Exit of Travelers.”

All travelers and Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APOR), excluding tourists, must accomplish the online registration link of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office for the Travel Confirmation Pass.

Upon arrival at the entry points (Balatero Port and Villaflor border), all resident travelers must proceed to the Travel Management Desk for health and exposure assessment and issuance of QR Code.

For non-resident travelers or tourists, a pre-booking to the accommodation establishment with Certificate of Authority to Operate from the Department of Tourism and Mayor’s Permit must be secured. They must also register with the Tourist Registration Application prior to travel.

Upon arrival at the entry points (Muelle Port/Balatero Port/Villaflor Border), tourists must proceed to the travel management desk for health and exposure assessment, scanning of QR, and payment of the environmental user’s fee.

/MUF