MISAMIS Oriental Governor Yevgeny Vincente Emano said that the travel advisory issued by the Provincial Government has hurt the tourism industry of the province.
Emano, in a press conference Monday, March 13, said the advisory has especially affected tourism-related businesses such as resorts and travel agencies, among others.
“I will be lying to you if I would say that it did not hurt us, of course it does. It hurt the province, the operators of tourist destinations sa (of) province, but more than that it hurt me as a staunch promoter sa (of) tourism sa (in the) province,” he said.
The Provincial Government has stopped tourist visitations in all of the tourist destinations in the province because of the ongoing clash between government forces and rebels after the termination of peace talks in the eastern side, while on the Western part, there are also ongoing operations against the Maute group.
Emano said before the rebels and the government both lifted the unilateral ceasefire, an increase of foreign tourists has been monitored particularly in Naawan town.
In Sagpulon falls, about 500 foreigners were able to visit the place in just a week.
Tourism department head Yvonne Waga said they will release the official records of the possible losses of the province’s tourism sector this week.
But Emano said he is confident that the recent announcement to continue the peace talks will bring back the healthy tourism in the province.
“Nangayo ta ug certificate kay gihimakak man sa mga authorities nga adunay problema ang peace and order sa Misamis Oriental, sigon sa atong stoppage order sa mga turista nga mobisita sa atong mga tourist spots. Pero duna nay gihatag nga certificate ang PNP, ang amo nalang gihulat ang sa Philippine Army nga side, ug makaptan na nato ang duha ka certificate, ako ng ilift ang stoppage order (We asked for a certificate because the authorities denied that there is a peace and order problem in Misamis Oriental. But the PNP has already given us a certificate and we are now waiting from the Philippine Army. If we have these documents then we can lift the order already),” he said.
Emano said once the stoppage order will be lifted, the projects in some tourist spots will be restored.
“A temporary damage is better than a permanent damage in our tourism industry,” Emano said.
According to the tourism department, pending project on the Flight 387, Abaga Falls in Naawan, and Lake Mainit in Naawan and Manticao will be resumed.
Emano said the province plans to build a cabin where visitors can stay overnight particularly in Flight 387, develop the Abaga falls in Naawan, and the establishment of resort in Lake Mainit.
Department of Tourism-Northern Mindanao Regional Director May Salvaña-Unchuan said in a previous interview that the region will push for its farm tourism, especially in the part of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon where agriculture is healthy.
She added that the Laguindingan Mindanao silk’s market is expected to increase this year with the National Government’s solid commitment.
“This will be a great year for Misamis Oriental and the whole region. This will really be an opportunity for us because our president is Mindanaoan so this is the time to shine,” she added.
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