MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has encouraged Filipinos to travel around the country, assuring the safety of tourists with security measures set in place.

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“To my fellow Filipinos, I encourage you to travel with me around the Philippines. I assure you that everything is safe in our country, be it an issue of health, be it an issue of law and order, and be it an issue of accessibility,” Duterte said in a video shared by Communication Secretary Martin Andanar Friday.

The President said airlines and hotel accommodations have already agreed to lower their rates to encourage more Filipinos to tour around the country.

“Maraming magagandang mapuntahan sa Pilipinas, wala kayong dapat alalahanin. Itong mga hoteliers at itong mga carriers they have agreed to lower the rates so that we can be a viable market for the Philippines,” Duterte said.

(There are a lot of tourist spots that you may travel to across the Philippines. You don’t need to worry. The hoteliers and the carriers have agreed to lower their rates so we can be a viable market for the Philippines.)

“Come with me and be my travel companion. I’ll be traveling around the Philippines. Pasyal tayo dito sa atin. Unahin natin yung atin. Mabuhay ang Pilipino. Mabuhay ang turismo ng Pilipinas,” he further said.

The President made the pronouncement after the Department of Tourism (DOT) reported an estimate of P42.9 billion worth of loss due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) scare.

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Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles also urged Filipinos to travel within the country in the meantime to also help the tourism sector amid its looming losses caused by COVID-19.

“At this moment, we are trying to promote domestic tourism in the country. Yes, if you can help it, you travel na lang domestically, within the Philippine shores,” Nograles said in a press briefing in Malacañang.

“It will help our domestic tourism, will help the tourism market, will also help the tourism sector and we’ll also help the Philippine economy,” he added.

Several tourist spots have temporarily stopped its tourism-related activities in a bid to contain the spread of the virus.

Among the places that have closed its doors to visitors are Sagada in Mountain province and Kabayan in Benguet.

Edited by MUF

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