Re-opening of tourism in Tinglayan possible but not soon

Tinglayan, Kalinga – Despite clamour of yTongrayans particularly those from the Buscalan area to re-open the tourism industry, a local government official here on September 13 said that the re-opening of said sector is not yet possible this year, but could be made possible in 2022 as preparatory measures are still underway.

Buscalan community is among those that sought to re-open the industry hoping to recover from losses they incurred because of the pandemic. Said village is among those greatly impacted by the pandemic in the municipality due to Covid-19 restrictions as tourism industry became a source of livelihood among locals being the home of Apo Whang-od, the oldest hand tap tattoo artist (mambabatok) in the country.

Larae Lactao, Tinglayan Municipal Information Officer, said that the local government is giving priority to the health and safety of the community, adding that the opening could put tourists at risk if it will be done drastically without thorough preparations, given that the Covid-19 continue to spread and that more variants of concern that are more transmissible are being discovered from time to time.

Added to this, preparations of the LGU is still underway with its goal of establishing a mechanism that could control the possible influx of tourist that would affect health security of the community.

Among these, Lactao relayed is the crafting of an online website registration platform for visitors to log in prior to their entry in the municipality.

“Tatta, addan ti naka-plano a process ti registration, flow a maaramid nu addan diay turista, adda ti inaramid min nga steps a masurot. Adda ti online registration tu, saan sila unang pupunta pagdating sa Tinglayan which is the municipal information center and then afterwards, ag-triage, logbook tas adda ti maited a guest control number kanyada,” Lactao said.

“Haan gamin kuma ngay a biglaan ti panag-open na, nu makitam idiay Sagada, nag-dry run da pay lang anya, kasdiay kuma ti aramiden ti LGU Tinglayan ngem before ti dry run, dapat i-consider pay lang ti safety dagituy kailyan tayu,” she added.

A triage center to be manned by health personnel and barangay officials shall be established to check if tourists are able to comply with the requirements before they could be allowed to enter the tourist’s site vicinity.

(Photo by Words and Wanderlust)

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