BUTUAN CITY – Starting November 1, operators, captains, and crewmen of all water transport in Del Carmen town in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte will have to present their vaccination cards to ensure the safety of those visiting local tourist spots.
This was mandated in Executive Order (EO) 54 issued by Mayor Proserfina Matugas-Coro on October 28 and sent to news outlets on Saturday.
“Siargao Island is now opened to accept tourists, guests, and visitors, such that it is important for the local government unit of Del Carmen to look into protection of their health while they are in our area, especially visiting our famous tourist destinations,” she said in the EO.
Among the spots frequented by foreign and local tourists in Del Carmen are the Sugba Lagoon, Mangrove Boardwalk, and Pamonoan Island.
Amid the continuing threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), Matugas-Coro cited the need to vaccinate all those involved in transporting passengers, tourists, and visitors in the town.
“Only the vaccinated boat operators, captains, and crew shall be allowed to operate and take passengers from the tourists at the Port of Del Carmen or any point of embarkation in any coastal area of this municipality,” she said.
The continued implementation of proactive measures, such as vaccination, must be put in place to slow down the surge of Covid-19 cases, stop the further spread of variants, and buy time for the health system to cope and protect more lives, she added.
Matugas-Coro also ordered the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police, Philippine Ports Authority, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Rural Health Unit, and Municipal Tourism Office to monitor the movement of all seacraft for the strict implementation of the EO. (PNA)
