'Ondoy' hurt businesses more than hostage fiasco, says Salceda

MANILA, Philippines - Typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng” which ravaged parts of the country last year hurt the country’s businesses and tourism far more extensively than the recent hostage tragedy in Manila.

Speaking before participants in the Visayas Media Forum of the Publishers Association of the Philippines Inc. (PAPI), Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said communities and leaders should invest more in climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction and environment protection to help reduce poverty.

He said these concerns are themselves investments in development and are feasible platform for local governance.

Salceda, who hops around as an international lecturer in climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction, was recently named Senior Global Champion by the United Nations International Strategies for Disaster Reduction and his province of Albay, a global model.

The forum, conducted by PAPI ,headed by Juan Dayang, in cooperation with the Boracay Foundation Inc., also had Philippine Information Agency Director General Joe Fabia who represented Secretary Sonny Coloma of Malacañang Communications Operation Group, and Tourism Undersecretary Simeon Marfori as speakers.

In his presentation, Salceda noted that at an average of 20 typhoons a year, 254,744 tourist arrivals are lost per year based on current annual average, which translates to $255 million in tourism revenue loss.

He said global warming and the average 19-21 tropical cyclones it spawns each year undermine the integrity of the country’s natural and iconic assets and reduces the overall attraction of the Philippines as a prized tourist destination.