TOURISM in Baguio City is not affected despite the panic over suspected attacks by rebel groups and the closure in Philippine Military Academy (PMA).
Baguio City Tourism supervising officer Benedicto Alhambra said there are still tourists coming in the city despite the threats circulating in social media that Baguio City and Benguet are not safe.
Alhambra said their office has received letters from different groups outside Baguio planning to have their tour in the city for entire month of February.
The tourism official said the tourists coming in should enjoy their visit and stay in the city.
In 2016, the tourism office recorded a total of 1.3 million arrivals in the city from different establishments.
PMA is a major tourism site in the city but is temporary only open for family members of cadets who want to visit the academy. The academy is also open for officials and for business transactions and legal purposes.
The academy indefinitely closed its doors on following orders from the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
PMA information chief Lt. Col. Reynaldo Balido said the academy has an average of 3,815 tourists during weekdays, 5,166 during regular weekends and 7,218 on special weekends.
Joan, a tourist from Manila on her way to the PMA said, "Gusto ko sanang makita ang PMA, doon sa loob, pero hindi pa pwede kaya sa iba nalang kami pupunta muna."
"Sayang hindi namin makikita ang PMA, isa sana sa bibisitahin namin, sana buksan na sa publiko," Mark from Cavite added.
"Sana wala ng mga terror attacks, para mabuksan na ang PMA, sabi ng iba maganda raw sa loob yun sana pwedeng makita kung mabigyan ng pagkakataon," Julie said from Albay.