The program encourages the Filipinos to patronize local services in leisure and travel, food and restaurants, retail and shopping, among others.
After almost a three-month enforced lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippines starts to re-open businesses urging the public and private sectors to work together in reviving the economy.
In an effort to slowly adapt to “new normal” and jumpstart the economy, private sector groups along with several government agencies including the Department of Tourism, Department of Trade and Industry, and Department of Science and Technology join hands for the #PinasMunaTayo online campaign.
Working on the premise that the country’s economic growth has historically been driven by consumption, the online movement spearheaded by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Alliance Global Group Inc., and Resorts World Manila advocate for a “Bayanihan” among Filipinos to support local businesses first and spend their money in the Philippines to stimulate the growth of domestic consumption.
That includes encouraging the Filipinos to patronize local services in leisure and travel, food and restaurants, retail and shopping, among others.
In line with the projects of participating government agencies, #PinasMunaTayo campaign is focusing on three components: TriPinas to revive the tourism sector by promoting domestic tourism and destinations, ShoPinas to push for buying locally in support to the retail sector, and LasaPinas to reinforce the love for country by experiencing local food and hospitality.
The campaign encourages consumers to make conscious choices to help boost the economy post-COVID 19.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) recently said it welcomes the encouraging developments towards reopening of tourist destinations and ensured that the tourism sector is ready to provide service under the post-lockdown “new normal” scenario.
“Tourism will be allowed in a number of areas graduating from General Community Quarantine (GCQ) to the more relaxed Modified GCQ, and we are having our hotels and resorts prepared to follow the safety protocols,” said DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.
The DOT Chief underscored the importance of the local government units’ (LGUs) role in enforcing the New Normal protocols, as health authorities continue to search for a vaccine against the dreaded coronavirus.
“The crisis might dissipate and the local epidemic slows down but the threat of COVID-19 will still be there, and our response to that is to strictly observe personal prevention such as wearing face mask, hand-washing and social distancing,” Puyat points out.
Under the Guidelines, Puyat said a reduced capacity is to be observed in the room accommodation, tourist bus or shuttle and dining room. Wearing of face mask and physical distancing should be practiced, too, she said.
In constant dialog with the stakeholders about recovery efforts, the DOT Chief said there is a consensus to “do it slowly but surely.”