Mayor Isko wants to open Intramuros ‘for all ages’

Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso supports the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) plan to remove age-restrictions on going to some parks amid coronavirus diseases (COVID-19) pandemic – as long as it is once a week “Family Day.”

This is Domagoso’s response, Friday, after Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat proposed the opening of open space tourist attractions such as Intramuros and Rizal Park to the whole family.

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“Of course, we want to support [domestic] tourism, lalo na ngayon. At least kahit papaano may madudulot na negosyo at trabaho ‘yan. If there is an open space, an alternative for the people to go to, we’ll support it,” said Domagoso.

Domagoso said this even if only 15-65 years old can go out of the house according to Resolution 79 of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

Senior citizens – such as people from 60 and up – have an increased risk of death from COVID-19, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

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The IATF had earlier proposed that even 10-14-year-olds be allowed to leave their homes in the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) areas but President Rodrigo Duterte also opposed them.

Mayor Isko wants to open Intramuros ‘for all ages’

Intramuros recently opened the gates of Fort Santiago, Casa Manila Museum, and Baluarte de San Diego to the public this month but it is only for 15-65-year-olds.

“Let me take this opportunity na hikayatin ang ating mga kababayan na pumasyal kayo sa Intramuros. Kapag napasyal ka sa Intramuros noon kabahan ka, ngayon mas maaliwalas na. Malapit na rin mabuksan ang Metropolitan Theater sa April,” Mayor Isko said.

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Puyat first demanded a one-day exemption from age restriction on February 18: “Because tourism is for the family, not just for 15 to 65,” he said.

Just a few days ago, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) called for the removal of COVID-19 testing for all tourist destinations in the Philippines, so that the requirements can be uniform anywhere in the country.

These are still being done to revive the economy and the tourism sector, which has been severely damaged by the imposition of quarantine restrictions caused by COVID-19.