Gov. Presbitero J. Velasco, Jr.
The Marinduque multi-sectoral Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), as approved by the MIMAROPA Regional IATF, has imposed a new travel ban in the province from February 1 – February 15, 2021. This was due to the fact that the COVID-19 infection rate in Marinduque has gone up by 38% from December 25 to January 25.
The corresponding EO No. 01-2021 signed by Gov. Presby Velasco
considered as another factor the confirmed spread outside Marinduque of the
alarming transmission of reported COVID-19 variants - UK variant B1.1.7, South African variant
D107 Y and California variant B 1.426. In Bontoc, Mountain Province for
example, the COVID-19 variant has reportedly affected 57 individuals by the end
of January.
Pandemic effect on Marinduque tourism
With the relentless spread of the virus globally including
the Philippines, tourism was, as we know, put to a halt. Tourism in this island
paradise had its share of hotel bookings, conferences, seminars and booked
tours cancelled, the closure of resorts with some of their staff going on
unpaid leave, and a wildlife sanctuary immediately closed operation.
Tourism-related livelihoods were badly affected, schools
were likewise closed and local travel was discouraged as the virus spread to
many barangays. The already sad situation was worsened by the series of
devastating typhoons that hit the province toward the end of 2020.
While DOT announced the resumption of domestic tourism, such
was limited to only a few destinations outside Marinduque and subjected to
strict health and security guidelines. However, threats of the reintroduction
of COVID-19 in such places that could trigger a lockdown remain.
In spite of the uncertainty on what lies ahead, however, the
government remains confident that the tourism industry would bounce back, and
that the sector could be reenergized on the back of a successful distribution
of coronavirus vaccines. This is expected to result in gradual adjustments in
protocols that could open tourism borders wider.
Local tourism sector response
As tourism players remain optimistic to slowly be back in
track in 2021, Gov. Velasco, has issued Executive Order No. 36-2020 creating
the Marinduque Provincial Tourism Development Council (MTDC), to serve as venue
for the private sector to take steps in addressing such challenges and concerns
brought about by the pandemic to the
local tourism industry.
PDTC officers are
Susan Nace (Dream Favor Travel and Tours),
president; Glynis Karen Raza (Marinduque State College), vice president,
Carmelita Rejano, treasurer, Rafael Seno, (Agrea) secretary, Sabrina Macavinta (Casa de Don Emilio), auditor, with Gerry Jamilla, provincial
tourism officer, Romeo Mataac, Jr. (Philippine Information Agency), and Atty. Rommel Fernandez (Provincial Legal Officer), members.
To get everything ready when domestic tourism is finally resumed as well as to encourage local tourism when everything’s in place, the Council recently held the first Tourism-Related Industry Conference (TRICON) via Zoom as part of “Araw ng Marinduque” activities. This saw the active involvement of tourism players province-wide.
The teleconference was joined in by Gov. Presbitero J.
Velasco, Jr., Regional Director Christopher Morales of MIMAROPA, Dr. Rachel Rowena
Garcia, Provincial DOH Officer, Dr. Gerry Caballes, Provincial Health Officer
and SP Member Melgabal Encabo of the Committee on Tourism.
Under the present situation the Council wants to promote
digitalization which could help the players rethink their way of doing
business, also stressing the need to
ensure that health and sanitation protocols in identified destinations are in
line with the standards of the new normal.
The concept of theme-based tourism called “tourism circuit”
will be reintroduced to encourage visits by local tourists to gradually start
the economy, especially in certain destinations - Torrijos Beach in Brgy. Poctoy, farm-tourism
sites in Boac, Sibuyao in Torrijos, Luzon Datum in Mogpog, and the National
Museum in Boac. Incidentally, the Museum is ready to open a new exhibition
showcasing an entirely new collection of artefacts from several Marinduque
underwater archaeology projects together with an ethnographic exhibit.
A proposed “tourism bubble” intended for guests coming
outside Marinduque shall be reviewed. Establishments have fully cooperated with
the government to ensure compliance to proper protocols prescribed. To date,
there are already 14 accommodation establishments with DOT-issued Certificates
of Authority to Operate (CAO). While visitors are required to book their stays
in certified accommodation establishments they have been unfortunately affected
by about ten months of inactivity.
These are: (In Boac): Balar Hotel & Spa, Tahanan sa
Isok, Eastpoint Hotel, Hotel Zenturia, The Boac Hotel, Freedom Eco Adventure
Park, Adis Hotel & Resort, A&A Beach Resort, Hotel Marinduque and
Kennedy Paige Transient Inn. (In
Torrijos): Villa Briones Beach Resort, Village Sunrise Inn. (In Gasan): Luxor
Resort. (In Mogpog): Ulong Bay Beach Resort.
Meanwhile, the provincial government has issued orders
supporting the resumption of its only airport and allows resumption of
commercial flights. This now awaits a letter of intent from the airline, Cebu
Pacific for the resumption of the Manila-Marinduque-Manila route.
“We in the Marinduque tourism sector just have to be ready
to start economic activity in the industry for our stakeholders to get back to
work and business sooner than later once we are given the go- signal”, said
Nace who now heads the Marinduque Provincial Tourism Council and operates the
only DOT-accredited travel agency in the island-province.
