CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -— The mayors of the cities of San Fernando and Angeles said the recent hostage crisis in Manila would inevitably affect local tourism.
Mayor Oscar “Oca” Rodriguez of City of San Fernando and Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan of Angeles City told reporters that the incident would greatly affect tourist arrivals in the country.
Both officials said the National Government should do its part in bringing back the confidence of the international community towards the country.
Angeles City is considered Central Luzon's entertainment capital hosting a multitude of foreign nationals.
Pamintuan said he has met with city police officials and drew-up measures to prevent similar occurrence.
He even directed the local police to continue its training program and coordinate with the City Government on their equipment requirement.
“I have been coordinating with them to address their needs in terms of facilities and equipment. We want them to be ready and the city government is prepared to help them,” Pamintuan said.
He added that the measure is a token of good will to foreigners. The city, he said, is taking into account the tourists' safety.
"We hope that the effect of the incident would not be very adverse to local tourism,” Pamintuan said. (Ian Ocampo Flora)