Duterte urges domestic travel amid coronavirus outbreak

February 14, 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte has urged the Filipinos to visit various places in the country instead of traveling abroad apparently to boost the tourism industry in the wake of the 2019 coronovirus disease (COVID-19).

In a televised message, which Malacanang released on Friday, Duterte assured that it is safe to travel locally and there are many beautiful places in the Philippines that could be visited.

"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," he said.

Duterte said hotel owners and airline companies have agreed to lower their rates so that "we can be a viable market for the Philippines."

"Come with me and be my travel companion. I'll be traveling around the Philippines. Let's travel here. Let's prioritize our own," he added.

The Philippine government has imposed a travel ban on China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan due to the spread of COVID-19.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Puyat earlier said the Philippines could lose at least P42.9 billion in tourism revenue due to the threat of coronavirus. Celerina Monte/DMS