PGLU MONITORS COVID-19 PROTOCOLS SET FOR RESUMED TRES
By: Joy Ann L. Gurtiza, GPC-LUPTO | Photos By: GPC-LUPTO | Date: February 26 – 27, 2021
OIC-LUPTO/Assistant Provincial Tourism Officer Arthur S. Cortez, Jr. reminds tourism-related establishments (TREs) of the Executive Order No. 35 mandating TREs to follow health and safety protocols for their own safety and protection during their random inspection in TREs of the City of San Fernando and Municipalities of San Juan and Bauang, La Union on February 26 – 27, 2021.
Keeping La Union a safe haven for all, the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) through the La Union Provincial Tourism Office (LUPTO) conducted a random inspection in Tourism-Related Establishments (TREs) of the City of San Fernando and Municipalities of San Juan and Bauang, La Union on February 26 – 27, 2021. This was done to look into the compliance of the TREs with the set guidelines and policies of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) as more tourism enterprises resume operations.
The inspection seeks to ensure that the health protocols and safety measures are strictly implemented and properly observed to curb the spread of CoViD-19 in the province.
Led by LUPTO Officer-in-Charge Arthur S. Cortez, Jr., together with the technical staff of Tourism Planning, Research and Information Management Section, Provincial Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office and concerned LGU Tourism Offices, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Rural Health Units, Licensing Office and the Philippine National Police, the team randomly visited TREs in the LGUs. All TREs are required to conform with the existing guidelines and only Region 1 and Baguio City tourists are allowed for leisure travel in the province.
TREs which were found not compliant to the minimum health requirements such as the observance of no facemask-no entry policy, the use of thermal scanning and disinfectant footbaths at the entrance, and the strict concurrence of social distancing were given stern warning and were reminded that repeated offense would mean cancellation of their Certificate of Authority to Operate. Recommendations for improvement were given to the concerned TREs such as the accomplishment of health declaration form and provision of CoViD-19 IEC materials for employees and customers. The presence of a safety officer, identified isolation area and directional signage for foot traffic must also be carried out. The management of these TREs agreed to immediately comply with all the recommendations.
While more businesses are allowed to operate, the Inspection Team urged both locals and visitors to follow the protocols implemented by the establishments for their own safety. Regular monitoring and follow-up visits will be done to ensure compliance to the guidelines by the various TREs.
With the pandemic and virus still among us, the PGLU believes that inspiring trust and confidence in the safety of travel should be the main priority for tourism. As the top travel concern in the new normal, compliance to health and safety protocols provide immense value.
