NEGROS Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has urged tourism stakeholders in the province to open up the industry without risking the public safety amid the prevailing coronavirus disease (Covid-19) threat.
Lacson, who spoke at the opening of the two-day Tourism Awareness Seminar held at the Negros Residences in Bacolod City Thursday, March 18, 2021, said due to lockdowns and community quarantines were imposed by the government in an effort to contain the spread of Covid-19, economies started to slump.
The governor said hundreds to thousands of Negrenses from the sectors of agriculture, construction, trade, and particularly that of tourism became gravely affected by the economic impact of these quarantine measures.
"Let us take this opportunity to find effective ways on how to open up our tourism industry without jeopardizing the safety of our tourists and the people in the industry," he added.
The Negros Occidental top official said a year after closures, the province is now opening to travelers and tourism.
Lacson, however, stressed that the most important and urgent concern that needs to be addressed correctly and cautiously is how to properly balance public health and economic concerns.
The governor also said as the province starts with its tourism recovery program, everyone must bear in mind that even though the national government has eased travel protocols, it does not mean that the nature of the virus and the mode of its transmission has changed.
Lacson also urged everyone to make safety the paramount criteria and measure in making decisions in the midst of the pandemic.
"This crisis has led us to new sets of behaviors, perspectives and approaches, and we need to adapt if we are to save both lives and livelihood," he added.
The seminar, meanwhile, initiated by the Negros Occidental Tourism Division (NOTD) is themed "Negros Tourism: Moving Forward."
Attended by tourism officers from 32 towns and cities in Negros Occidental, this is part of the tourism recovery program of the province and prepare them for the reopening of domestic tourism.
On the first day of the activity, NOTD officer-in-charge Jennylind Cordero reported some updates on the province's tourism industry.
Rhoderick Samonte, of Carlos Hilado Memorial State College, presented the Revised Negros Occidental Tourism Code to the participants.
Gretchen Iwayan of the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) - Negros Occidental discussed the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act specifically the Department of Tourism-Dole financial assistance for the displaced workers in the tourism industry.
Executive Assistant to the Governor and Provincial Gender and Development Coordinator Marie June Castro will talk on Safe Space Act, while Rudy Reveche of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts will discuss the Relevance of Culture and Tourism during the second day of the seminar Friday. (With reports from Capitol)