Cagsawa Ruins, more popularly known as the church ruins with the iconic Mayon Volcano view in Daraga, Albay, has been reopened to local tourists from MGCQ regions.
The world-famous Philippine destination in the Bicol region was reopened on June 20, 2020, after three months of closure as the country underwent community quarantine to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Albay is now under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) status and has qualified to reopen following the health safety guidelines for tourist spots released by the Department of Tourism (DOT). The safety precautions enforced at the tourist spot include reopening only to visitors from MGCQ regions.
Visitors need to sign a health declaration, submit to temperature check, and wear masks at all times when visiting the Cagsawa Ruins.
“We have to follow the minimum health standard at all times. Food and souvenir stalls inside the ruins (are) still not allowed to operate,” Mayor Victor Perete of Daraga said in a Philippine News Agency report.
The local government of Daraga will also introduce new policies in connection with the operation of Cagsawa Ruins using the new normal approach.
The Cagsawa Ruins, which shows the bell tower of the town that was buried when Mayon Volcano erupted in the year 1814, will be open for visitors from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The tourism sector makes up 12% of the Philippines’ economy and it is also one of the hardest hit by the pandemic. With social distancing and quarantine in place, the tourism industry could not function. It’s not just the country’s economy that suffers, it’s also the livelihood and quality of living of the workers in this sector.
Despite the losses, Perete is still very much optimistic about the tourism sector’s recover.
“I am optimistic that we can recover, all we need is to strive and introduce other options to help boost our local economy and produce more livelihood,” he said.
With this much at stake, the Department of Tourism is moving to help tourism recover as soon as the tourist spots open through the release of promotional videos and by checking out spots such as Palawan, Boracay, and Bohol to discuss tourism policies while ensuring the safety of the residents and tourists.
World-famous tourist spots, Boracay in the Visayas and Camp John Hay in Baguio City, have recently reopened following safety guidelines.
Before seeking other countries to travel to, it is also great to travel around the Philippines. With places like Cagsawa Ruins holding so much history and having so much beauty, it helps Filipinos feel that they are indeed proud to be Pinoy.
SEND CHEERS in the comments below to celebrate the reopening of the historic location of Cagsawa and to welcome the return of the tourism industry!
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