Catarman reopens tourist spots

The local government also designated a group of 'tourist police' to ensure that local tourists strictly adhere to the basic health protocols

Amid the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, Catarman, Camiguin Mayor Kiterio Antonio Palarca II on Monday announced that they have reopened the municipality’s famous tourist destinations to local travelers as they assured that safety and health protocols will be strictly implemented.

In a radio interview, the Catarman mayor said that while they prepare to welcome tourists from outside Camiguin, they also decided to resume the operations of the town’s popular tourist sites to residents to help revive the local economy.

Among the top tourist destinations in Catarman are the Sunken Cemetery, Old Church Ruins, Tuasan Falls, Sto. Niño Cold Spring, Bura Soda Water Park and Walkway to the Old Volcano.

“As of now, they are open only for the local tourism,” Palarca said. “This is also being done by the provincial government as a sort of dry run so that when we fully open our tourist destinations to outsiders, we can see what we will need to improve as far as the implementation of health protocols is concerned.”

Palarca noted that the local government also designated a group of “tourist police” to ensure that local tourists strictly adhere to the basic health protocols.

“All of our tourists destinations here have been assigned with a tourist police and barangay enforcers to ensure that the proper protocol and minimum health standards will be strictly implemented,” Palarca said.

The local chief executive also shared that Catarman has completed various infrastructure projects even during the pandemic, including a new public market.

“Infrastructure projects are still ongoing despite the pandemic,” Palarca said. “Catarman is one of the fishing grounds here in Camiguin island and we are happy to note that the fishing industry here still thrive. Then we opened our tourism sites to our local residents, so, with this, I think it will help our economy to improve,” Palarca added.