There is no reason to perpetuate the stigma and the damage created by the SARs scare by not diligently updated SARs-related travel advisories, Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople said today, referring to the flyers issued by the Austrian Government to its travelling public, which lists the Philippines as a SARs-affected area.

“Our Embassy in Vienna spotted this anomaly and took immediate action.  Their diligence in looking after the interests of our country is commendable,” the Secretary said.

The Philippine Embassy in Vienna had informed Secretary Ople that Austria continued to disseminate flyers containing outdated SARS-related advisories against the Philippines and recommended that the Philippines formally express its displeasure and to ask the Austrian Government to remedy the situation.  Based on the Philippine Embassy’s recommendation, Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople instructed Philippine Ambassador to Austria, Ambassador Victor Garcia, to implement his recommendation.

”Travel advisories to countries formerly on the restricted list including the Philippines have been lifted and there is no reason for a revival of such advisories.  I have instructed our Embassy in Vienna as well as all our posts to monitor any adverse advisories against the Philippines, particularly those that are related to SARs,” the Secretary said.

”The Austrian Government has affirmed that it had already removed the Philippines from the list, but it seems that the continued dissemination of these flyers negates this assertion. Ambassador Garcia has assured me that he will continue to pursue this matter with the utmost vigor,” the Secretary added. END.