CAMIGUIN (PIA)--Following the proclamation of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. lifting the State of the Public Health Emergency in the Philippines, the provincial government here issued Executive Order No. 41, lifting the remaining rules and regulations on health protocols but still requiring the use of the CleanCamiguin QR system for visitors and locals.

"We have also lifted our remaining COVID-19 regulation: the requirement for unvaccinated visitors to present a negative antigen test result before entry to the province," Gov. Xavier Jesus Romualdo said, adding that the EO takes effect on July 25, 2023.

Visitors will no longer need to go to the visitor's entry form on the CleanCamiguinQR website to schedule a visit to the province.

The governor added that they have retained their QR system as they retool and transition it for the implementation of Smart Tourism in Camiguin and for the issuance of digital Camiguin resident identification cards.

Provincial Planning Officer Nykolsha Rayos said the QR system will no longer cause inconvenience to travelers since only necessary data for tourism will be collected from them. Personnel from the provincial government will also be assigned to seaports and airport to assist travelers in creating their QR codes.

In addition to meeting the Department of Tourism (DOT)-10's requirements for submitting a monthly report on tourist arrivals, including their nationalities and relevant data, she mentioned that the QR system enables the province to monitor its carrying capacity.

"Gihimuan pud na siya og ordinansa nga kailangan siya ipatuman sa province nga mao ra gyud ni ang number sa mga tao nga pwede musulod sa Camiguin in a given time [An ordinance was made about the maximum number of people who can enter Camiguin in a given time, and such should be implemented in the province]," Rayos said, citing that doing so will help the province in protecting the environment and maintaining cleanliness.

Sharing her delight upon hearing the news, Michelle Seroy, a tourist from Iloilo City, said it is now easy to enter and leave the island.

"Actually, naging mas madali siya kasi unlike before, na syempre magpapakita ka pa ng kung anu-anong mga requirements and at the same time, kailangan mo pa siyang i-process so natatagalan ka bago makalabas at the same time makabalik [Actually, it became easier because, unlike before, you have to present some requirements and, at the same time, you still have to process them, so it takes a long time before you can go out and come back to the province]," Seroy said.

Oshin Dutosme, an unvaccinated tourist from Cagayan de Oro City, expressed her joy about the province lifting travel protocols. She considers it an answered prayer, as they have been eager to visit the island since last July but were unable to do so due to financial constraints, as they couldn't afford the antigen tests.

“Para sa ako, hasol kaayo siya and istrikto kaayo siya, and aside sa mahal siya kay kailangan pa og kanang magpa-test ka, so dako kaayo siya og help para sa ako na naubos ang inyong restrictions diha sa pag-travel paingon sa Camiguin [For me, the travel restriction is very troublesome and very strict, aside from the fact that it is expensive because you still need to take a test. So, the lifting of travel restrictions to Camiguin is really helpful for me],” Dutosme said.

To further ensure ease of travel and avoid delays, locals and tourists are urged to truthfully provide needed information in the QR system, especially the traveler's address. (RTP/PIA-10/Camiguin)