BAGUIO CITY, Sept. 18 (PIA) - - Secretary Vince Dizon, National Action Plan Against COVID - 19 Deputy Chief Implementer and Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque laud the Baguio City government's effort and the people's cooperation in slowly opening up the city's economy.

The officials visited business establishments along Session Road to see how business is doing amid the COVID pandemic and had a meet and greet and photo opportunity with people.

In a media interview, Dizon and Roque both outlined that Baguio can be model on how local government units properly re-open their economy and in rebuilding their tourism industry with the health and safety of the people the priority.

"Kailangan talaga ngayon dahan-dahan binibuksan na natin ang ekonomiya. Nakikita naman natin na modelo na ang Baguio. Nakikita naman natin nadito na ang mga tao pero safe pa din sila. Iyun naman ang pinaka-importante, pwede na tayong mamuhay pero nag-iingat tayo lagi. Pinapakita ng Baguio na kaya nating gawin ito", Dizon said.

Dizon shared that Session Road is what he remembered it before the pandemic and the only difference is that the people are wearing their masks, face shields and observing physical distancing, which he outlined as the right way that people should do in the new normal.

Roque for his part, also praised the city government under the leadership of Mayor Benjamin Magalong for its program to open Baguio City for tourists from Region 1 starting September 22, that features a comprehensive health and safety protocol.

"I think the city is becoming a model on how we re-open the tourism industry. I am very proud of what Baguio is doing, I think Baguio can show the entire Philippines na kayang pag-ingatan ang kalusugan para magkaroon ng hanapbuhay," he said.

Dizon and Roque together with Magalong, also visited the Aggressive Community Testing Off - site operation at the Baguio Convention Center grounds that is supported by the Bases Conversion Development Authority

Maximizing their visit, Dizon and Magalong also joined Roque's daily virtual press briefing also at the Baguio Convention Center. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)