Fully vaccinated tourists are no longer required to present RT-PCR test results when they visit Puerto Galera, while partially vaccinated individuals are provided with free antigen testing.
In the Nov. 1 Laging Handa briefing, Puerto Galera Municipal Administrator Carmela Datinguinoo said they have sufficient funds to sustain the free rapid antigen testing with around 10 tourists undergoing testing per day.
“Hindi lang po siya for leisure travelers, bagkus ang atin pong mga residente ay maaari rin pong makatanggap ng free antigen mula po sa munisipyo,” she said.
Tourism sites and accredited resorts are operational with an allowable capacity of 50% in accordance with Department of Tourism (DOT) guidelines.
As more restrictions are eased, the number of Puerto Galera tourists are averaging around 1,000 daily. This is a boost from only 50 tourists in the previous months amid a pause in tourism activities due to the COVID-19 threat.
The municipal administrator said they only have five active COVID-19 cases. The economic frontliners of the municipality are fully vaccinated, while the vaccination coverage of its eligible population reached 64%. – Report from Kenneth Paciente/AG- bny
Watch the full interview here:
