The association of hotel and resort owners in Puerto Galera has filed a petition with the provincial government of Oriental Mindoro to remove the negative antigen test result for tourists and residents entering the province.
In a petition by the White Beach Business Owners Association (WBBOA) to Governor Humerlito Dolor, the association of entrepreneurs argued that tourism in Puerto Galera has fallen since the implementation of the negative antigen test result requirement.
In November and December, the average tourist arrival in Puerto Galera was 1,500, but now the occupancy rate in hotels is less than 10 percent.
“We appeal to the honorable Governor Bonz Dolor to aid us because if this continues, I think marami po sa aming mga kapwa negosyante will go out of business for good,” said WBBOA Secretary Aubrey Cabrera.
According to WBBOA Vice President Maria Cristina Sibayan, 97.5 percent have been vaccinated in Puerto Galera.
Shipping lines also fear being forced to stop traveling due to the lack of passengers, which now weighs only 20 to 35 per day.
She said the employees of hotels and resorts also feel the hardship of life with the decrease in tourists.
“Minsan nago-online selling ako, naglalako ng kung ano-ano,” said waitress si Grace Perez.
Traders in Puerto Galera want to remove antigen test requirement
But Dolor insisted that antigen testing must be implemented on those entering Oriental Mindoro, whether tourists or residents.
According to Dolor, as of 2002, there were zero COVID-19 cases in the province, but it swelled to 219 active cases a few days later.
So it is necessary to be strict again so as not to complicate the province’s health care system.
“Usually ang turista naman may pera, willing ‘yan gumastos. ‘Yong P600, P700 na antigen test for their safety and for the safety noong empleyado ng resort,” said Dolor.
According to the Department of Health on Wednesday, the number of new COVID-19 cases in the Philippines continued to decline after it slipped further to 15,789.
There are fewer new confirmed cases today compared to 17,677 on Tuesday. This is the fifth consecutive day that the number of new infections has not increased.
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