TACLOBAN CITY — With the Lenten season approaching and an expected surge in domestic tourism, the Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Office VIII has issued a safety advisory calling for heightened precautions at beaches, resorts, and other water-based attractions across the region.
In an advisory, Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes urged local government units (LGUs) and tourism stakeholders to strengthen safety measures to protect visitors engaging in swimming, boating, and other aquatic activities during Holy Week.
The advisory emphasizes the need for regular inspections and monitoring of tourism establishments to ensure compliance with safety standards, including clear warning signages, designated swimming zones, and established emergency response protocols. Tourism operators are also encouraged to deploy trained personnel skilled in lifesaving, basic first aid, water search and rescue (WASAR), and marine search and rescue (MOSAR) in high-risk or high-traffic areas.
The DOT-8 also called for close coordination between LGUs and response agencies, such as the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police, and Bureau of Fire Protection, to ensure swift action during emergencies. Public information campaigns reminding tourists of swimming safety practices, monitoring weather conditions, and disseminating emergency hotlines were highlighted as key components of the advisory.
Additionally, LGUs are directed to establish incident monitoring and reporting systems to enable real-time tracking and immediate coordination with relevant authorities.
“These measures are vital to safeguard both tourists and local communities during the peak travel period of Holy Week,” the advisory stated, noting the region’s coastal and aquatic destinations attract thousands of visitors seeking leisure and recreation.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
