AKSYON Demokratiko presidential bet Isko Moreno Domagoso on Sunday praised Cebu’s tourism sector for the province’s tourist attractions.

During his dialogue with workers at the Cebu Safari and Amusement Park, Domagoso said Cebu’s business leaders played a crucial role in sustaining local tourism.

“Kaya ako pumunta rito: para malaman ng Pilipinas na may ganito sa Cebu at bukas siya. Hindi nagsara. Kahit nahirapan yung negosyante, minaintain niya. Inayos niya,” he said.

“Ngayon, people will notice. People will know. Domestic tourism, tayo-tayo muna. Pwede na siya mag strive,” he added.

The 47-year-old presidential aspirant said Cebu’s Safari and Amusement Park is well positioned to be a center of animal breeding in Asia and a supplier of live animals to zoos around the country.

“Nakakainggit yung Cebu Safari because you produce your own animals already. Nagbibreed na kayo. Hindi na kayo umaasa sa imported. Nandoon na kayo sa next level. You now look at your future in this establishment and someday, we can be the center of Asia in producing animals,” he said.

Domagoso was accompanied by Cebu 3rd District Rep. Pablo John “PJ” Garcia and Cebu Safari chief operating officer and vice president Eduard Loop.

He is the first presidential candidate to visit the said amusement park and its workers.

Citing the need to revivie the country’s tourism industry, Domagoso said the national government needs to expand its vaccination program.

“First things first: kapanatagan to the tourists and to the workers. Kapag laging pangamba na baka yung nagseserbadora sa kanya ay may COVID o yung kanyang turista may COVID, lahat takot. Kapag lahat takot, mababa ang efficiency level at service,” he said.

“Kapag bakunado ang lahat, tuloy na ang buhay. Doon papasok yung consumer confidence. Bakunahan natin nang bakunahan ang tao. Palabasin natin. Pagastusin ang tao para may hanapbuhay ang tao. So, naturally, may iikot na pera,” he added.

Domagoso praised President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent three-day national vaccination drive for helping local government units inoculate more of their residents.

“Katulad ngayon, ito yung pinakamagandang portion na ginagawa ng national government through President Duterte and IATF – National Vaccination Day, kung saan ang tumulong ay mga lokal na pamahalaan, tulad namin, na dalhin yung resources namin like doktor, nurses sa kani-kanilang probinsya kung saan kami ma-assign. This will matter to the tourism industry,” he said.

Moreover, Domagoso reiterated his plans to boost tourism infrastructure in the Visayas by building bridges that will connect Cebu with Bohol and Negros.

“Just imagine yourselves as Cebuanos in the Visayan region, connecting to giants, the Negros and Cebu provinces. Yun ang isa sa tinitignan namin: to build more bridges in the island so there will be more commerce, exchange of goods, mas mabilis, mas efficient.” Domagoso said.