CEBU Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia is supporting Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan’s plan to allow international flights to enter Cebu in a bid to attract more tourists.
Chan earlier said he plans to seek audience with Garcia and the mayors of the cities of Cebu and Mandaue on making a joint statement to the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases for this purpose.
Chan clarified that he will only allow international flights from countries that have fully controlled the Covid-19 situation.
Chan said with Cebu and its cities having lowered the number of Covid-19 cases, he sees that Cebu’s tourism industry is on the road to total recovery.
He also urged local leaders and tourism stakeholders to work together to help revive Cebu’s tourism industry.
“May we all row in one direction to get to our direction fast. May we also pedal together so we get to the finish line together as one,” Chan said.
In a separate press conference, Garcia said she agrees with Chan’s proposal as long as it is accompanied by guidelines on how it can be implemented.
“I will join Mayor Ahong also in that aspect for as long as we shall be able to lay down the proper guidelines that would govern the entry of foreign tourists,” Garcia told reporters on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020.
Garcia said the guidelines in allowing foreign tourists back to Cebu must also be in line with the guidelines of the IATF.
The governor said she is open to working with the mayors of Cebu’s highly urbanized cities, considering that she initiated the guidelines necessary to reopen tourism in Cebu Province after it shifted to the modified general community quarantine status in July this year.
“Well, as you know, we have broken new ground insofar as the reopening of tourism is concerned. We are the first to open with very, very specific guidelines throughout the entire province. Now we are interested in opening up to other provinces,” Garcia said.
Garcia has yet to disclose when she plans to meet with Chan to discuss the proposal. (ANV / JKV)