THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan released revised travel advisory safety information for Davao and some parts of Mindanao on December 19, 2024.
In its latest alert level status, Japan downgraded the travel advisory for the Davao Region from "Level 2" to "Level 1", which means Japanese tourists must "take extra care" when traveling to these places.
Davao Region places downgraded to Level 1 include Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao Occidental.
Mai City, Tagum City, Samal City, Davao City, and Digos City have remained at Level 1.
Misamis Oriental and Camiguin have also been downgraded to Level 1 from Level 2, which means Japanese nationals are advised "to refrain from traveling if non-essential or non-urgent."
Cagayan de Oro City, Jasaan, Villanueva, and Tagoloan have remained at Level 1.
Another place downgraded from Level 2 to Level 1 is the Surigao City.
Meanwhile, the Province of Surigao del Norte has remained at Level 2, and the Siargao Islands has remained at Level 1.
The eastern part of Sarangani Province (Malungon, Alabel, Malapatan, and Glan) was
lowered from Level 3, which means "Refrain from Traveling at Anytime" to Level 2.
However, the western part of Sarangani Province (Maitum, Kiamba, and Maasim) has remained at Level 3.
Also remaining at Level 3 are the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao areas.
It can be recalled that last January 2024, Consul General of Japan in Davao City Ishikawa Yoshihisa emphasized that he is exerting efforts to downgrade the Japanese government’s travel advisory to Japanese nationals traveling to the Mindanao region.
"I want Mindanao to be closer to Japanese citizens and am determined to promote Japan-Mindanao relations in various fields," he said in his 2024 New Year's Message.
"If we succeed in amending the travel advisory, many Japanese companies, investors, tourists, and students will surely come to Mindanao, especially Davao," Ishikawa said.
In a recent interview, Ishikawa reaffirmed that he has been unrelenting in his efforts to downgrade the travel alert level status of Mindanao, saying that he wants to see more investors, like Fujifilm, investing in the island.
DOT lauds Japan’s move
After releasing the revised travel advisory, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco expressed her gratitude to the Japanese government as she expressed hopes more countries would follow its move.
“Allowing foreigners to visit Mindanao likewise clearly manifests that the current administration promotes an inclusive environment that fosters equal growth and opportunities for Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. With this move from Japan, we wish that other nations will follow suit as the Philippines offers so much more than our sun and beach destinations,” she said in a statement released on January 2. CEA