TOURIST HAVEN. Sambawan Island in Maripipi, Biliran in this undated photo. The Biliran provincial government had set limits in welcoming guests few weeks after deciding to re-open doors to domestic and foreign tourists. (Photo courtesy of Department of Tourism)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Biliran provincial government had set limits in welcoming guests few weeks after deciding to re-open doors to domestic and foreign tourists.
Governor Rogelio Espina issued Executive Order No. 07 series of 2021 on March 29 to only allow visitors from the Eastern Visayas region to visit local tourism sites.
The governor issued the new order after the National Capital Region (NCR), Rizal, Laguna, Bulacan, and Cavite were placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine for one week due to a surge of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases.
“The provincial government of Biliran would like to announce that due to the spike of Covid-19 positive cases in the NCR and other places that are considered as a major hub of domestic and foreign travelers, tourism activities in this island province are hereby limited to visitors coming from Eastern Visayas region only starting March 28,” the provincial government said in a statement on Wednesday.
All incoming tourists from the region are advised to drop by at the Tourist Assistance Booth located at the provincial border for registration.
Local tourists who will visit the island province will need to present Biliran QR Code, and proof of hotel booking.
The provincial government launched last week the Biliran QR Code, accessible through https://register.securebiliran.net which will serve as a form of verification of identification for those who are entering the province, including to public, and private establishments such as tourism facilities.
Local tourists who will visit the province will have to sign a note of undertaking indicating that they have not traveled outside the region in the past 14 days before their arrival in Biliran.
Those who will be found out to have violated the undertaking will face sanctions under Republic Act 11332 known as “Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act.”
There is no limit on the number of days a local tourist can stay in the province.
It was on March 10 when Biliran announced that it is re-opening its doors to all tourists.
Biliran province takes pride in its attractions such as the Sambawan Island in Maripipi Island, the shifting sand and the sunken chapel at Higatangan Island, and various waterfalls like the Tinago and Tomalistis Falls in Caibiran town, and the Ulan-ulan and Recoletos Falls in Almeria.
The province also has Department of Tourism-accredited farm sites such as SofTea Garden in Bato village, Biliran town, and Canaan Hill Farm and Honey Garden in Uson village in Caibiran. (PNA)
