Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso supported the suggestion of the Department of Tourism (DOT) to set up a ‘family day’ in Intramuros and other recreational parks in the city.
“Of course we wanted to support tourism, lalo na ngayon domestic tourism tayo tayo lang ang nagpapasyalan wala tayong mga banyagang pumupunta dito, (especially now that we are on our own, no foreigner is arriving in the country),” Domagoso said in a radio interview on Friday.
He added that opening up certain tourism areas in the city would also mean that business and job opportunities will also be opened.
Recently, DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said she will suggest to local government officials to open up parks and recreational areas for a once-a-week Family Day, that includes children and even senior citizens.
Puyat said the DOT would like to push for a one-day family event that would not require age restrictions.
“Kasi ang turismo ay para sa pamilya, hindi lang for 15 to 65 (This is because tourism is for families not only those aged 15 to 65 years old),” Puyat said in an earlier interview.
The DOT said it mulled a family day after seeing some families bringing in their children to Fort Santiago, Casa de Manila Museum, and Baluarte de San Diego when they were partially reopened to the public last February 17 but were denied entrance as they only allow visitors aged 15 to 65 years old.
“We support Secretary Berna, in fact, malapit na rin mabuksan yung Metropolitan Theater sa April mabubuksan na to so tingin ko makadadagdag to sa komersyo sa siyudad (Metropolitan Theater will soon open in April and I think this will held in the city’s economy),” Domagoso said. (PNA)