The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is geared towards promoting the country’s tourism industry while maintaining the health protocols against COVID-19.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco said the Philippine government will continue to boost the country’s tourism industry both domestically and abroad.

“While we continue to support the Departments of Health’s measures as far as ensuring the health and safety of our fellow Filipinos, the direction of the Philippines is forward and that is to ensure that we continue to open up the country to travel and tourism,” Frasco said in a press briefing in Malacañang,

“That is the direction set by our President. Of course, all the minimum health and safety standards are in place and this is also made sure as far as compliance with our DOT-accredited establishments [is concerned],” she added.

Frasco’s statement came after she was asked if the government is planning to implement stricter travel rules due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in some provinces in the country. Health officials said they recorded over 12, 000 new cases from May 8 to 14.

Frasco however pointed out the World Health Organization (WHO) has already declared an end to COVID-19 as a public health emergency. (PND)