IN AN INTERVIEW over Kwentas Klaras Wednesday morning, Panglao local chief executive Leonila ‘Nila’ Montero confirmed that Panglao, the No. 1 tourist destination in the island-paradise of Bohol – before COVID-19 halted tourism – has opened its doors to local tourists starting this week.
Mayor Montero classified local tourists as those coming from the capital city of Tagbilaran and other municipalities since the “No-Sail” and “No-Flight” policies are still observed in the province.
She explained that the decision to open was carefully studied and arrived at by the local government unit (LGU) in consultation with Panglao stakeholders and the local IATF for the Management of Emerging and Infectious Diseases.
Two reasons prodded Montero to push for the opening of Panglao to local tourists: 1) Panglao is COVID-Free; and 2) The impact of the economic slump is felt by Panglao, the municipality’s constituency, and the business sector. She stressed that fear and economic loss should be managed amidst the pandemic.
While pushing for the opening of Panglao, she advised all business establishments to go through the process enumerated thus: 1) Apply for business reopening; 2) Comply with LGU requirements including environmental guidelines; 3) Comply with requirements to put in place health and safety protocols to ensure that clients and patrons are protected, safe, and secure.
Patrons and customers are also reminded to religiously follow all health and safety protocols as they dine in restaurants or billet in resorts.
To ensure that the municipality and the customers are equally protected, protocols also include contact-tracing registration for everyone who gets inside the island-municipality who’s not a resident, Montero added.
In a related vein, the lady mayor said they have likewise studied and readied the guidelines for domestic tourists – those coming from other parts of the country – once flights and boat trips are back. These individuals who will have advance bookings in hotels or resorts will also need to comply with the health and safety protocols set by the establishments.
Moreover, resorts and hotels will provide a designated isolation room should guests feel unwell upon arrival or check-in. A medical team will immediately attend to this particular need. This will ensure that everyone’s health is protected, Montero further clarified.
The business opening in Panglao is crucial for Bohol. It will serve as a litmus test on the readiness of the province’s top tourist destination to resume operations while equally readying to manage any COVID-19-related concern.
Indeed, leaders must make hard decisions. They ought to strike a balance between health and the economy. When our focus is too extreme on the side of health, the economy will suffer, and vice versa.
Everything should be weighed carefully in consultation with stakeholders and calibrated actions should be implemented by phases. Progress can also be assessed by phases.
As Panglao opens its doors to local tourists, we will also see how the Boholano community will respond. We will expect people to wait and see. Some will be bolder while some others will remain reluctant.
Hopefully, since this is a calibrated move, our LGU is ready for any eventuality. I would suppose that scenario-generation formed part of the thorough planning and preparation process given these challenging times.
I think the positive thing going for this decision is seeing how the Boholano community itself will help mitigate the economic loss by patronizing restaurants and resorts available in Panglao. For now, the amenities of Panglao are exclusive for Boholanos. It’s a first after a very long time!
If you ask me, I support the initiative of Panglao. There is a pressing need to formulate hard decisions at this point in time. For as long as we strictly comply with health and safety protocols and the added safeguards as discussed by the mayor, we can help restore business in Panglao and thus help our fellow Boholanos earn their keep.
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Food for Thought
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. – 2 Chronicles 7:14 (King James Version)
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For comments, you may reach the writer at belca.87@gmail.com./PN
