Tourists from Region 1 may start visiting Baguio City starting October 1 — local exec

Tourists from Region 1 (Ilocos Region) will be allowed to enter Baguio City beginning October 1, the head of the city's tourism office said on Tuesday.

"Ang talaga naman naming intensyon is ma-launch namin ngayong araw na ito and that will signal 'yung pag-register ng mga turista. Maumpisahan na ang pag-register nila pero gaya nga ng napagusapan namin nila mayor, ang start ng travel mag-umpisa 'yan ng October 1 onwards..." Engineer Alec Mapalo told Dobol B sa News TV.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong earlier said what would happen today, September 22, is just the official launch of the opening of the City of Pines to tourists.

Magalong said the local government would still address some matters such as the COVID-19 outbreak in two barangays before allowing visitors to enter the city.

The mayor said only guided tours would be allowed once Baguio City opens while do-it-yourself trips would still be prohibited.

Tourists who will visit Baguio City are advised to pre-register as part of the health and safety protocols amid COVID-19 pandemic. 

Magalong has said the local government would open Baguio City to visitors from other regions weeks after its actual opening to Region 1 tourists.

"After experiencing 'yung opening ng aming tourism sa Region 1, siguro for the next two days from the time it was executed, two weeks after the time it was executed, we experience it, we learn from it, saka po kami mag-oopen sa ibang mga regions. Ganoon po 'yung process na aming gagawin," Magalong said. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News