Hotels, restaurants in Tagaytay to reopen on Friday, Jan. 17

After closing for a few days due to Taal Volcano's eruption over the weekend, several establishments in Tagaytay City will reopen starting Friday, January 17.

According to Mav Gonzales' report on "24 Oras" on Thursday, Tagaytay City Tourism Council president Remedios Ramsay confirmed the news after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said that the Tagaytay Ridge does not need to be evacuated.

"Puro ashes lang naman so more on cleaning lang ang inaano namin ngayon. Ang problema lang is if ever mag-erupt ulit. But as of now, maybe they can even open next week," Ramsay said. 

"Kailangan magkaisa kami na wala talagang danger sa guest at sa employees," she added. 

Earlier, the Tagaytay City Tourism Council and the city-based establishments also asked the Department of Tourism for its go signal regarding reopening their businesses despite the continued unrest of Taal Volcano.

Tagaytay City is within the 14-kilometer danger zone and was among the areas most affected by the ash fall brought by the eruption of the volcano, which prompted hotels and restaurants to temporarily close.

Around 400 establishments (157 restaurants, 99 mabuhay accommodations, 57 hotels, 31 spa and wellness, 30 events place and 14 other amusement places) already lost a huge amount of money due to the drop in tourists and visitors in the city.

Ramsay also said the tourism council is polishing contingency measures in case the volcano erupts anew.

Meanwhile, hotel owners also made sure that cancelled room and events will be rebooked once normal business operations resumes.

Alert Level 4 remains raised over Taal Volcano, meaning that hazardous eruption is imminent. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/BM, GMA News