The Department of Tourism said DOT Secratary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat’s trip to Bohol with the Belo family was part of the government’s campaign for domestic tourism and was coordinated with LGUs.
“The Secretary wishes to assure the public that everyone in the visit underwent RT-PCR testing and complied with all the travel requirements of the host province,” the DOT said in a statement sent via mobile message.
DOT likewise noted that the inter-agency task force for the management of emerging infectious diseases (IATF-EID) allowed all ages to travel point-to-point to tourist destinations provided that they presented negative RT-PCR test results.
“The said campaign was made consistent with current protocols and properly coordinated with the local government units,” it read.
Over the weekend, Senator Nancy Binay called out Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat’s trip to several tourist spots in Bohol with the Vicky Belo, Hayden Kho, and their six-year-old child Scarlet Snow.
Binay said Puyat violated COVID-19 health protocols amid the prevailing quarantine restrictions across the country.
DOT defends Puyat’s trip to Bohol with Belo family
“Allowing a six-year-old child to go around without face mask and face shield in tour sites and public areas, and for a member of Cabinet not practicing basic health protocols is flat out unacceptable,” the senator said.
In one of Puyat’s Instagram stories, the DOT chief and Scarlet Snow at the South Farm were in Panglao, Bohol, without face masks. However, it is not yet confirmed if they removed their face masks for picture taking.
“I understand fully the concern of Sec. Berna in helping the industry. Talagang dapang-dapa na ang ating industriya ng turismo, but what everyone saw in her IG post is a disturbing lapse of judgment that showcased a series of public health and IATF violations,” said Binay.
“As a government executive, ‘yung expectation ay pina-practice simpleng ‘Apat Dapat’, pero ‘yung ginagawa ‘yung mga hindi dapat,” she added.
Earlier this month, the government allowed NCR Plus (Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Bulacan) residents to go on leisure trips to areas under a general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified GCQ regardless of age.
Wearing face masks and face shields continues to be mandatory in public areas.
Visit our Facebook page for more news updates.