By Brian Campued
Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco on Friday assured that her agency is actively assisting stranded tourists affected by the travel disruptions caused by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.
“The Department of Tourism is fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our local and foreign tourists affected by [Severe] Tropical Storm Kristine,” Frasco said in a statement.
According to the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) advisory as of 12:00 a.m. Friday, about 529 stranded tourists were recorded by its regional offices in Cagayan Valley, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and Caraga:
- Batanes – 179 tourists
- Mauban, Quezon and Lobo, Batangas – 16 tourists
- Oriental Mindoro and Marinduque – 33 tourists
- Boracay – 12 tourists
- Maasin – 25 tourists
- Surigao del Norte – 264 tourists
Frasco said her agency is also actively verifying reports of stranded tourists in Northern Luzon and Bicol Region.
Additionally, at least 14 tourist sites have sustained damages due to the storm, including those in Sorsogon, Masbate, Batangas, and Dinagat Islands.
“We are closely coordinating with our regional offices, local government units (LGUs), and other government agencies to provide immediate assistance to stranded tourists,” the Tourism chief said.
“The DOT stands ready to extend all necessary support during this time.” she added.
The agency’s regional offices are also closely coordinating with accommodation establishments to provide temporary shelter to affected tourists.
It is also working with LGUs and other concerned government agencies to ensure provision of immediate assistance to tourists in need.
The DOT, likewise, urged travelers to stay informed through official weather bulletins and to avoid going to disaster-hit areas or ports until authorities have declared it safe to do so.
For tourist information and assistance, the DOT’s Tourist Assistance Agents are available via:
- Phone and SMS: +63995-8355155
- Email: touristassistance@tourism.gov.ph
- Facebook Messenger: Department of Tourism – Philippines
- Web Chat and Click-to-Call: https://philippines.travel and https://beta.tourism.gov.ph
Frasco also assured that the DOT will provide necessary support to displaced tourism workers as well as establishments impacted by the inclement weather.
“In addition to assisting tourists, we are also preparing to extend support to displaced tourism workers who may have been affected by this storm,” the DOT chief said.
“As we continue to assess the damage to tourist sites and businesses, the DOT is ready to mobilize resources to help our tourism frontliners as well as tourism establishments recover and rebuild in the aftermath of the storm,” she added.
—iro