Oslob, Cebu LGU hopes to resume tourist activities under MGCQ

The local government of Oslob, Cebu, hopes to resume tourist activities now that it is under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).

According to Ian Cruz’s report on “24 Oras” Friday, the community used to earn around P100 million a year from more than 2,000 visitors per day.

Oslob draws tourists mostly because of its whale shark or “butanding” tours. However, because of the pandemic, locals have lost their main source of income.

Kagawad Evangeline Gregorio, a boat owner, said she earned P40,000 a day before the pandemic.

“’Yung naipon namin, ’yun na lang ibina-budget namin, tinitinda na lang namin gulay para may pagkakakitaan kami,” she said.

Boat operator Lito Trapa said that although they fed the whale sharks, the number of the sea creatures had dwindled compared to before the quarantine.

Oslob had been COVID-19-free since their last confirmed cases had recovered.

The LGU had asked the provincial government to allow whale shark tours again, saying they would impose strict safety protocols.

These protocols include having boats operate at only 50% capacity; checking tourists’ temperatures; and requiring them to wear mask at all times except when they’re at sea.

“Maari wala ng mask sa dagat,” said Mayor Jun Tumalak. “Mababa ’yung mask lang nila. Hindi practical. Pag alis mo sa dapat ma ano ’yung mask kaya tanggalin na ’yung mask bago sumakay. Ibalik mo na lang after mo magbanlaw.”

Boat operators will also undergo certain protocols, according to the mayor. Aside from temperature checks, they will also be required to practice personal hygiene.

Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said they would have a final meeting on Monday to discuss the tourism activities and the possible protocols that would go along with it, adding she would release an executive order soon.

“Diving gears, life jackets, oxygen tanks na gagamitin ng tourists, they would have to be not just disinfected but also sterilized using ultraviolet irradiation bactericidal lamp,” she said. – Kaela Malig/RC, GMA News