Pinoys travelling abroad? Not likely amid pandemic, senators say

Published July 08, 2020 07:45 PM By DONA MAGSINO,GMA News

At least two senators on Wednesday doubted that Filipinos would be encouraged to go on trips abroad in the middle of a global pandemic after the Philippine government lifted the ban on non-essential travel.

While recognizing that Filipinos are innately "adventurous," Senator Nancy Binay who chairs of the Senate committee on tourism, said she doesn't think many people would brave the risk of travelling outside the country.

"Makikita naman natin sa worldwide trend medyo may problema ngayon ang industriya ng turismo globally, so, sa tingin ko hindi rin ganun kadami ang mga kababayan natin na makakabyahe," Binay said in a virtual interview.

"Panawagan ko rin sa ating mga kababayan na imbes na tangkilikin 'yung turismo sa ibang bansa, unahin na lang muna natin 'yung dito sa atin. Let's go local first," she added.

Nevertheless, she underscored that local government units should not be pressured to open their spaces to tourists if they know that they are not yet prepared.

"At the moment, ang mahalaga ay hindi kumalat ang virus. Kung ang ibig sabihin nito ay isasara muna natin ang turismo sa isang lugar, 'yun ang dapat gawin," Binay said.

"Kaya nga napakalaking problema ng industriya ng turismo kasi pagdating doon sa pagbangon ng industriya na ito, mukhang ito 'yung huli na makakabangon," she added.

Senator Panfilo Lacson said he agrees with the lifting of the suspension on non-essential travel of Filipinos as long as "conditions are complied with and protocols are strictly observed, particularly on quarantine procedures upon their return to the country."

However, he believes Filipino tourists would not fly out given the health situation.

"I do not see this encouraging Filipinos to travel. Who would be encouraged to travel in the middle of a worldwide pandemic?" he said.

Malacañang announced on Tuesday that the Philippines has lifted its restrictions on non-essential outbound travel by Filipinos to countries with no "entry ban" for Filipinos.

They should also submit confirmed roundtrip tickets and adequate travel and health insurance to cover rebooking and accommodation expenses if stranded, and hospitalization in case of infection. —LDF, GMA News

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