Puerto Princesa bats for agri-tourism

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar said he agrees with the City Government of Puerto Princesa’s decision to push for agri-tourism as one of the diversified methods to respond to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis.

Andanar has expressed his support to Puerto Princesa, which has been retro-fitting programs for the tourism industry as it starts to gradually welcome more economic activities while ensuring that safety protocols are in place.

“I definitely agree with your take on this direction. At this time, agriculture is very important,” Andanar said during the Network

Briefing News yesterday. Puerto Princesa City Vice Mayor Maria Nancy Socrates explained that the initiative was made to ensure food security and likewise become an additional source of income for local farmers.

“We are also encouraging our farmers to go into that (agri-tourism). This is also additional income for then, not only additional food for everyone,” she added.

Socrates said efforts are being done to retro-fit the tourism sector in compliance with the new normal and guidelines set against the COVID-19. She also commended the health sector for earnestly providing inputs in their preparations.

“Our preparations are ongoing. Our doctors and health frontliners are very commendable for their earnest efforts to provide recommendations to ensure the safety and health of visitors, as well as the residents,” she said.