Lowering of travel advisory levels to encourage more Japanese tourists to visit Mindanao
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 23 Dec) – The move to lower travel advisory levels for some parts of Mindanao by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan reflects the island’s improved peace and security situation.
In a phone interview on Monday, Dr. Adrian Tamayo, public relations division chief of Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), said that they anticipate an influx of Japanese tourists to areas with lower risk levels, which would help drive up economic activities and increase investments.
“Foreigners could travel now with precautionary reminders that would lead to more economic investments in places already declared Level 1 compared to the previous,” he said.
Tamayo added that a high alert level status is highly restrictive, as international travelers need to comply with “plenty of documentary requirements and protocols” before they can move around Mindanao.
“With lowering of risk, it is sending the message to all other embassies and diplomatic community that Mindanao is better in terms of security – investors and plenty of international travelers are coming in,” he said.
Japanese travelers are advised to “take extra care” when traveling to areas placed under Level 1, refrain from traveling to areas under Level 2 “if non-essential and non-urgent,” and refrain from traveling at “any time” to areas under Level 3.
Effective Dec. 19, the Japanese ministry downgraded travel advisory from Level 2 to Level 1 in Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao Occidental in Davao Region; the province of Misamis Oriental in Northern Mindanao; and Surigao City in Caraga Region.
Meanwhile, Camiguin province in Northern Mindanao; General Santos City in Soccsksargen; Dinagat Islands, Siargao Islands, and Butuan City in Caraga Region have remained at Level 1.
Areas that remain under Level 3 are Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay in Zamboanga Peninsula; Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental in Northern Mindanao; Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani West Side #2 in Soccsksargen; Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Cotabato City, Maguindanao del Sur, Basilan, and Tawi-Tawi in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM); and Sulu, which has just been declared to be no longer part of BARMM.
Meanwhile, areas under Level 2 include Bukidnon in Northern Mindanao; South Cotabato and Sarangani East Side #1 in Soccsksargen; and Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, and Agusan del Sur in Caraga Region.
Tamayo emphasized the importance of communicating that other parts of Mindanao are now safe and peaceful to change the embassies’ perceptions of the peace and order situation in areas under Level 3.
“The information about these places (Level 3) is limited. We have to inform regularly the diplomatic community and the rest of the world that Mindanao is safe,” he said.
Secretary Leo Tereso Magno, MinDA Chair, said that lowering of the travel advisory levels for key areas in Mindanao is a testament to the collective work of government, the private sector, and the people of Mindanao.
“This marks not just improved safety, but also a renewed confidence in Mindanao as a destination for tourism, trade, and investment. We have shown the world that Mindanao is a place of resilience, opportunity, and progress,” he said.
Magno said that he expects more opportunities for growth, particularly for the tourism sector, encouraging “stakeholders to maintain the momentum by further strengthening security measures and enhancing infrastructure to support growth.” (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)
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