SIGNING OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong and San Fernando Acting City Mayor Alfredo Pablo R. Ortega formally signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the support of the Philippine Department of Tourism in connection and agreed to mutually work closely in implementing the Summit and Sea Baguio-San Fernando Tourism Bubble as an innovation in leisure travel experience for domestic tourists in the country and eventually for foreign tourists; Whereas President Rodrigo R. Duterte issued Proclamation No. 922 on March 8, 2020 declaring a State of Public Health Emergency throughout the Philippines due to COVID-19 pandemic, where among others, limits tourism activities because of travel restrictions; imposed due to community quarantines, regulated, if not entirely hampered; tourism managers in the country recognize that domestic travel will serve as the catalyst to revive the ailing Philippine tourism while international voyage, in the meantime take a backseat.
After the MOU signing, a technical working group composing of officials from both cities, shall finalize implementing guidelines and launch the online registration and announce the allowed first travel date by the second half of May. A P2P public transport from La Union v-v Baguio shall also be negotiated, following strict health and safety standards. Nearby municipalities in La Union and Benguet may also be considered to be included in the Tourism Bubble, enhancing further the Summit & Sea experience. Held at The Manor Camp John Hay on May 7, 2021. Photo by: Mario Oclaman / FNS
