Pasacao mayor discusses tourism, health, safety measures vs Covid-19

By Ana-Liza S. Macatangay

Pasacao Mayor Niño Tayco assured tourists visiting the town’s beaches and other attractions that the local government unit (LGU) has stepped up its safety restrictions, particularly to resort owners who have not yet received their certificate to operate from the Department of Tourism (DOT).

“This is our way of protecting not just the economy but also the safety of Pasaqueños and those who are visiting our numerous tourist destinations in this time of pandemic,” Tayco said during the Network Briefing News (NBN) program conducted online and live streamed over PTV 4 on Tuesday, Oct. 12.

Tayco was the guest during the NBN program together with Pasacao Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Vice President John Robrigado and Camarines Sur media representative RonRon Enon, newly appointed station manager of PBN DWOK-FM Naga.

The show was hosted by the Office of the Global Media and Public Affairs (OGMPA) Asec. JV Arcena.

Pasacao, dubbed as Camarines Sur summer capital is one of the most visited towns in the Bicol region practically because of its beautiful beaches and scenic spots.

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the influx of guests and local tourists continues, prompting the LGU to issue Executive Order (EO) No.032, which provides comprehensive guidelines and adopting strict implementation of municipal ordinances pertaining to adherence to minimum public standards while it was under heightened restrictions last September and EO No. 033, an order extending the comprehensive guidelines under EO 032.

Under EO 033, only hotels, resorts, and accommodation establishments with valid DOT and LGU accreditation will be allowed to accept or accommodate guests and clients. Other amenities such as cafés, function halls, restaurants, gyms, spas, and the like, will be subjected to the guidelines issued by the DOT and IATF.

Tayco said that they also imposed local strategies to ensure that the Covid-19 virus is contained and his constituents are spared from getting the virus from visitors.

“It’s a big help that more people are vaccinated now. Our local strategy is we comply with the guidelines of the national IATF, we issued Executive Order 032 and 033 to heighten the implementation of the restrictions of mass gatherings, curfew, and opening and closing of business establishments, and we put up border controls for returning LSIs. We used to have 16 to 18 cases but now we only have one case,” Tayco said.

Tayco also said that they have already vaccinated at least 3,731 individuals and are still waiting for more vaccine allocations since Pasaqueños have higher acceptance of the Covid-19 vaccine now.

“In the beginning, our constituents are really hesitant and afraid of the possible effects of the vaccine to them but later on, they saw that they really need it and that there are no adverse effects. More people are now registering under category A1 to A5,” Tayco added.

A border control point was placed at the LGU’s boundary for returning Locally Stranded Individuals or LSIs where most infections are traced especially if their arrival is not properly coordinated. They also set up the Tourist Assistance Monitoring Center (TAMC) at the junctions leading to tourist destinations to ensure that all visitors will pass through screening first. LGU personnel will then lead and guide the visitors to DOT accredited facilities to ensure their safe stay in Pasacao. (PIA 5/Camarines Sur)