DOT Supports Streamlining Of Travel Regulations, Requirements
The Department of Tourism (DOT) gave their nod to streamline the travel procedures and requirements in accordance to different local government units’ regulations (LGUs).
DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat
In a news release, DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said that her department has long been advocating for the simplification of travel requirements as this is critical in making domestic tourism work.
She added that streamlining entry requirements will make traveling in the new normal more convenient while also protecting the public’s safety and well-being. Furthermore, this will also help in preventing the entry of those who falsify documents by standardizing validation protocols.
A survey titled “The Evolving Landscape of Domestic Tourism”, showed that 81% of respondents consider the varying LGU requirements as the factor that makes travel “most inconvenient.”
Boracay Beach
Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is streamlining LGUs’ regulations and requirements to reinvigorate the tourism sector.
Among the common travel requirements are medical certificates, other types of pre-travel or test-on-arrival for COVID-19, and quarantine.
“At the destinations, some rules that need to be standardized are those that relate to RT-PCR for children/infant, rooming or capacity limits and age restrictions vis-à-vis inter-and intra-regional movement of domestic tourists,” she said.
The DOT has recommended making the COVID-19 test standard requirement for entry to a destination.
Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia has already issued an executive order easing the travel restrictions for travelers to the province on tourism-related activities. The province no longer requires taking of an RT-PCR swab for entry.
Source: Philippine News Agency
