A JOINT technical working group that will draft a resolution assuring tourists and stakeholders of the stable peace and order climate in Cagayan de Oro City and Misamis Oriental province will be worked on between City Hall and the Capitol.

“Because in social media you see these advertisements about our tourist destinations, about how beautiful, scenic and so on…despite this, there’s this element of fear in the hearts and minds of our tourists (due to what’s coming out in social media) and it’s these online rumors that will stop them from coming here,” Councilor Romeo Calizo said during a break in the joint peace and order and development councils meeting of the city and province.

Calizo said this after Misamis Oriental Gov. Peter Unabia asked him to head the technical working group comprised of both City Hall and Capitol officials that will draft the resolution for this purpose.

SECURITY CONCERN. Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy joins Misamis Oriental Gov. Peter Unabia, City Vice Mayor Jocelyn Rodriguez, and Councilor Romeo Calizo prior to the start of the joint peace and order and development council meeting of the city and province in one of the city’s hotels. CIO photo by Jun Cañete

Governor Unabia said any negative travel advisories on Mindanao will send a wrong signal to both domestic and foreign tourists and investors on the peace and order climate in Misamis Oriental including Cagayan de Oro City.

Calizo said the TWG will consist of representatives of both city and province.

“Maybe the Information offices of both city and province work closely with the peace and order committees (of both City Hall and Capitol). Maybe Nica can provide us with raw data and the appropriate protocol for converting this raw data into advisories,” Calizo said.

City Director Jane Docallos of the Department of Interior and Local Government said the terror threat exists around the world and the issue is for local governments through their Information offices to provide an accurate advisory to the public.

“It is an Information (initiative) and what’s lacking is the constant and regular updating coming from the correct agency,” she said.

“(That’s the rationale of the technical working group) is to erase in the minds of the prospective tourists (these unverified reports coming from social media) in order to assure them about the safety and security (in Cagayan de Oro City and Misamis Oriental),” Calizo said. (Stephen Capillas of City Information Office)