TUBLAY, Benguet – The municipal government disclosed that the town’s tourist destinations earlier opened for residents will still be open even during the implementation of the downgraded status of the Cordillera from the present modified general community quarantine to general community quarantine starting February 1, 2021.
Mayor Armando Lauro stated that the municipal government will strictly enforce the 30 percent limitation on the occupancy of the tourist spots so that there will still be economic activities for the people in the municipality amidst the restrictions that will be imposed with the new community quarantine status.
He said it is just unfortunate that the community quarantine status of the region will be downgraded but there is a need for concerned government agencies and the local governments to sustain the gains of the economy that were achieved when the Cordillera was under modified general community quarantine.
Among the tourist destinations in the municipality earlier opened for residents include the Asin Hot Springs, the Ahonda rock formation in Barangay Tuel and the Polig Berry Farm and The Ridge in Barangay Ambassador.
The municipal chief executive claimed it was noticeable that people started to move around in the municipality when the tourist destinations were opened for residents, a sign of improving economic activities but only to be stalled by the sudden decision of the inter-agency task force for the management of infectious diseases to downgraded the quarantine status of the region effective February 1, 2021.
According to him, Tublay is one of the lower class municipalities in the province that relies on agriculture and tourism as the primary source of income of the people thus it is important for tourist spots to be opened even for residents to revive their sources of livelihood.
The municipal mayor urged the residents to continue adhering to the prevailing implementation of the stringent community quarantine rules and regulations because it is still the most effective way to contain the spread of the deadly virus among the populace and that the people should also value the efforts of concerned government agencies and the municipal government in ensuring their health and safety for them to remain productive.
Mayor Lauro emphasized that residents should do their part in preventing the spread of the virus in the municipality by faithfully adhering to the basic health and safety protocols to should ensure their protection.
He explained that the municipal government is awaiting the guidance of concerned government agencies on the roll out of the government’s mass vaccination program. By HENT
