CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – As long as all precautionary measures are observed and followed as identified by the Department of Health (DOH), it is now safe to attend large gatherings and organize concerts, festivals and other events.
In a joint statement today (February 18), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the DOH issued an advisory signed by the three cabinet secretaries on the “DOH’s Advisory on Concerts and Other Public Events and Gatherings issued last February 07, 2020.”
“The clarification bodes well for the tourism industry given that the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) sector is a huge contributor of tourism revenues and jobs. The MICE business has a long value chain involving the accommodation, transportation, food, recreation and retail sectors. It is critical that MICE events already firmed up for the year continue to be mounted with the DOH protocols strictly heeded,” said DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.
“We encourage event planners and organizers to be more circumspect and to implement the guidelines prescribed by the DOH. Equally important is the role of the DILG and the local government units in enforcing and monitoring the implementation of the said guidelines to ensure the safety of our guests.,” Secretary Puyat added.
According to DOH, all precautionary measures have been put in place by the national government to contain the spread of COVID-19.
The DOH also assures the public that the guidelines in handling guests in tourism enterprises are to be implemented in hotels and resorts around the country and reminds the public of proper sanitation and hygiene, as well as to seek medical attention if symptoms of coughs, colds and flu arises.
“The safety of the public, especially our tourists and employees in the tourism sector, remains the priority of the Philippine government,” the joint statement said.
