TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Provincial Tourism Officer Lorraine Ngao-i said tourism activities in the province are still prohibited as most local chief executives have not yet lifted the directive they issued banning the entry of tourists in their area of jurisdictions.
She said that with the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the province, the local chief executives and their tourism officers are even reiterating the ban to avoid the unnecessary entry and movement of people in their localities which may increase the risk of spreading the dreaded disease.
Currently, all of the province’s towns have reported COVID-19 cases in their locality.
According to Ngao-i, resort owners should also comply with the Department of Tourism guidelines to be assessed and issued with a certificate allowing them to operate during the pandemic to ensure they are conforming with the conditions, especially in following safety health protocols in their establishments.
As of press time, she said that there are seven accommodations issued with Certificate of Authority to Operate which include M Hotel, Davidson Hotel and Restaurant, Grand Zion Garden Resort Hotel, Golden Berries Hotel, YKalinga Hotel, Las Vegas Hotel and Restaurant, and Bilza Lodge and Resort.
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Ngao-i said that these accommodation facilities are being monitored to ensure their compliance during this pandemic.
She is also appealing for the public to take extra precaution considering that several resorts in the area seemed to be operating based on their post in social media where people tend to go to resorts while the province is still under modified general community quarantine.
“There are still safety measured to be followed, and the public must know this,” she said relating that she personally witnessed one resort accommodating as much as three groups with large numbers.
“Saan tayo kuma agkampante lalo ta adda uubing, lallakay ken babbaket a kakadwa tayo a mapan agpasyar kadagita a resort ket bawal dayta,” she appealed.
Meanwhile, the tourism industry of the province, she said, is greatly affected by the pandemic specially the transportation, producer and accommodation sectors.
She is commending the local processors and producers, such as the weaving industry, who have found ways in coping with the economic crisis.
“Our Kalinga woven mask and head accessory products are reaching as far as the other countries, and we are happy that despite the crisis, they found ways to market their products on-line,” she said.
Before the quarantine, Kalinga was one among the most visited localities in the Cordillera Region for its tourist destinations which include the Tattoo Village of Buscalan that features the oldest tattoo artist Apo Whang-od, cultural community villages, farm tourism sites, among others.
By GGD
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