Wednesday, October 03, 2007 Exclude city from advisories, council to foreign countries By Grace L. Plata
THE Davao City Council Tuesday urged foreign governments to exclude Davao City from travel advisories issued against the southern Philippines through a resolution.
Proposed by Councilor Peter Laviña, chair of the City Council committee on trade commerce and industry, the resolution was passed unanimously.
According to Laviña, the practice by various foreign governments of issuing advisories against traveling to troubled spots to forewarn and protect their citizens has proved to be a disadvantage for the city as these do not specify target areas.
"These advisories generally identify the whole of southern Philippines or Mindanao for reported threats of terrorism such as bombings or violent attacks," Laviña said.
Laviña added that such travel advisories reinforce a misconception about the image of the city and the safety of its citizens and visitors, and causes a negative impact on its drive to attract investments, trade, and tourism.
"Davao City is generally neither a troubled spot nor a specific target of terrorism or violent attacks; it is one of the most peaceful areas in the country, thus, home to more than 5,000 foreign residents. It has one of the lowest crime rates and has an outstanding police force," Lavina said.
He added that the officialdom of the City Government would be the first to forewarn its citizens and visitors if such threats of terrorism really exist.
There is a need for foreign governments to be specific in these travel advisories and exclude Davao City if substantially not listed as a specific target, he added.
Foreign governments specifically cited in the proposed resolution are of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, and the European Union.
