Pinoys want ‘outdoor freedom’
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Secretary Salvador Panelo on Friday disclosed the result of a Department of Tourism (DoT) survey which showed that Filipinos prefer outdoor activities once they are allowed to go out and the pandemic restrictions are eased.
In his daily online program “Counterpoint,” Panelo stated that the Philippine Survey report commissioned by the DoT, together with the Asian Institute of Management and Megaworld Corp. of businessman Andrew Tan, covered at least 7,243 travelers in at least 78 provinces and 108 tourism enterprises.
“Many really want to go out, especially those included in the restrictive group, these include those aged 66 and above and those seven years old and above. They want to travel,” Panelo said.
Panelo added that the survey, which was conducted from 28 November 2020 to 30 December 2020, asked the respondents about their priorities once allowed to go out.
“Based on the results of the survey, the respondents prefer outdoor activities in well-ventilated areas like beaches in Boracay, and
Palawan,” Panelo added.
He added that aside from outdoor activities, hiking and biking are the next choices of the respondents.
“Many of the respondents want to go hiking in the mountains and others simply just want to go biking,” he said.
“It is really the time to go out since the implementation of the lockdown is almost a year now,” Panelo noted.
President Rodrigo Duterte implemented the lockdown on 17 March 2020 following the Covid-19 outbreak in the country.
“My position is to finally open the economy and relax the restrictions in the country and ensure that the health protocols are being observed,” Panelo said.
Panelo said Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat is also pushing to allow foreign tourists to travel in the country.
“Secretary Puyat is in favor to implement the modified general community quarantine from the current general community quarantine starting next month to boost tourism in the country and provide jobs as many were affected by the pandemic,” he said.