La Union welcomes back tourists to revive economy

NORTHERN PLAYGROUND San Juan town in La Union province is among the popular beach destinations in northern Luzon. The province is now open to tourists but with strict health protocols in place.—WILLIE LOMIBAO (file photo)

DAGUPAN CITY – La Union province on Saturday (May 22) reopened its borders to leisure travelers from other parts of the country in order to revive its economy.

But only 700 tourists are allowed to enter the province each day and must not include teens and children younger than 15-years-old, or adults older than 65-years-old, according to Executive Order No. 27 that was issued by Governor Francisco Emmanuel Ortega III.

EO 27 dated May 20 replaced EO 7 which temporarily suspended tourism activities for non-residents.

Tourists must subject to health protocols and must present negative results from reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests taken three days prior to their arrival at the provincial border.

They would be housed in accommodation establishments issued certificates of authority to operate by the Department of Tourism.

Ortega issued the EO following an urgent petition from tourism-oriented businesses to open La Union borders, citing the impact of restricted travel on their businesses.

At present, only Bauang town is under a General Community Quarantine. The rest of the province has been placed under the less restrictive Modified General Community Quarantine.

YOLANDA SOTELO INQ

/MUF