DILG to check reports of provinces not accepting tourists

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will check reports that some localities are not accepting tourists in their areas amid the enforcement of unified travel protocols.

At the House Committee on Transportation hearing on Wednesday, Air Carriers Association of the Philippines (ACAP) executive director Robert Lim said there are provinces that "do not allow tourists at all."

The specific areas, however, were not specified.

"We hope that with the IATF resolution creating the protocols (for) opening up domestic travels, the LGU policy on prohibiting tourists will be opened," Lim said.

"We believe that the economic recovery at this point in time should be foremost in the recovery of these communities of the country," he added.

DILG Undersecretary Epimaco Densing, for his part, said he would discuss the matter with the League of Governors.

"I'd like to confirm with them if this is true that they are not allowing tourists to enter local government units," Densing said, adding that the DILG recognizes the tourism industry is needed for the economy to recover.

Last month, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) approved the uniform travel protocols for local government units.

Under the said protocols specified in IATF Resolution No. 101, travelers no longer need to not undergo COVID-19 testing unless required by the LGU prior to travel.

Densing said the DILG respects if some localities still prefer to subject visitors arriving in their areas to undergo COVID-19 testing.

"Hindi naman natin minamanduhan 'yung ating lokal na gobyerno na tanggalin ang testing. In fact 'yun ang exception to the rule. Ang general rule is no testing is necessary. However, if the local government wants to impose testing, pinapayagan sila," he said.

Further, travelers no longer need to be subjected to quarantine unless they manifest COVID-19 symptoms at the destination upon arrival. — RSJ, GMA News