HRRAC reiterates call for government help

CEBU, Philippines —  The Hotel, Resort, & Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC) is crafting another position paper to ask the national government for assistance, as the pandemic season continues to slap the sector’s profitability.

“We have been sending position papers to ask for help since the start of COVID-19 outbreak, but until now heard nothing as of yet. We will not stop until they hear us,” said HRRAC president Carlo Suarez in an interview with The Freeman.

Now, more than ever is the time that the government should extend its hands to the ailing hospitality industry, Suarez said.

In fact, some hotels in Cebu are already shutting down due to dry market and losses.

“We cannot pay our employees. Where are we going to get funding for salaries and operational expenses if we continue to operate?,” explained Suarez whose family owns the Cebu Grand Hotel.

“It’s a survival for the hoteliers. Local bookings, staycations with promo rates do not bring in enough revenues to offset the expenses and salaries of people. We need help,” added Suarez.

HRRAC officers are set to meet to discuss strategies and formulate the position paper to send SOS signal to the government, he said.

In desperation, Suarez said hoteliers will not give up on sending position papers, call for help to the government “until they hear us.”

While he mentioned the request of tourism stakeholders for local government units (LGUs) to implement unified travel restriction protocols, he said it is also equally important for the government, through the Department of Tourism (DOT), to assist the hotel sector in Cebu.

HRRAC vice president Alfred Reyes affirmed Suarez’ statement saying, most hotels are now running low with single digit occupancy rate.

Reyes who is the general manager of Bai Hotel, said today is the right time for the government to lend a hand to the hotel sector.