AMID the rising number of Covid-19 cases, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 2 plans to resume tourism activities in the Palaui Island Protected Landscape and Seascape (PIPLS), a popular tourist destination in Santa Ana, Cagayan Valley.
The members of the PIPLS Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) held last March 12 a special meeting to discuss safety measures and health protocols, among others, as part of the plan to re-open the area to tourists. The officials said these are consistent with Malacañang’s plan to reopen the economy.
The announcement, however, came as the Department of Health (DOH) reported an increasing number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in various parts of the country.
At least 5,000 new Covid-19 cases was recorded by the Department of Health last March 13, bringing to 616,611 the total number, with 56,679 the number of active cases, 547,166 recovered, and 12,766 deaths.
During the same period, Cagayan Valley recorded a total of 10,239 cases, with 1,460 active cases, 8,617 recovered cases and 162 deaths.
DENR Region 2 Executive Director and PAMB Chairman Gwendolyn C. Bambalan said minimum health and safety protocols should be strictly enforced to ensure the health of tourists and local residents.
Ecotourism activities in the PIPLS have been suspended since the declaration of a public health emergency in March last year.
In a statement, Bambalan assured that the re-opening of the PIPLS to tourists means following strictly recommended guidelines.
“As much as we want the tourism industry to recover and to help local residents bounce back against the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic, we will not start the operation without all the necessary preparation,” Bambalan said.
The Cagayan Valley’s top DENR official said she has requested the ecotourism committee of the PAMB chaired by the Department of Tourism to meet and polish the guidelines.
The PAMB chairperson told the public, resort owners and boat operators that the island is still closed for tourism activities until the PAMB passes a resolution for reopening.
Following the PAMB meeting, Bambalan together with Cagayan Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Ismael T. Manaligod and Aparri Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer Ilarde C. Viernes toured the protected area.
The island covers 8,048 hectares with 1,008 has. of coral reefs, 472 has. of sea grass and 102 has. of mangrove.
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