EDITORIAL - In need of help

If there's another sector that has been seriously been affected by Typhoon Yolanda in northern Cebu, it is certainly the tourism industry. And it would cost hundreds of millions before it can return to its profitable stage.

Northern Cebu, especially the municipality of Daanbantayan and the three towns comprising the Bantayan Island, has been known to be an important tourist destination for decades.

A huge magnet for local and foreign tourists, the resorts up north have been giving those of Boracay and Palawan a run for their money. In fact, Cebu's reputation as one of the best tourist destinations in the country can largely be attributed to the fine beaches in the north, especially those in Malapascua.

But when Yolanda barreled through the Visayas, Cebu had fallen prey. The onslaught was so ferocious that it turned the north into a wasteland, with economic losses reaching billions of pesos.

As the north reels from the effects of the disaster, tourism industry players had to start from scratch. The rehabilitation effort for the industry is really daunting, considering the enormous losses. 

However, in the absence of a concrete rehabilitation plan from the government, it would surely take a long time before the tourism industry in northern Cebu can return to its former glory.

A month after the powerful storm, Cebuanos have yet to hear a word from the Department of Tourism promising help to badly affected resorts. It seems the resort operators have been left without help from the government.

The tourism department should intervene and spearhead the tourism rehabilitation in the affected areas. Because of their huge losses, resort owners in the north badly need help for them to start their business again. 

Undeniably, tourism has been an important contributor to Cebu's growing economy. Since it was badly affected by the disaster, authorities should immediately step in to fix the problem.