Government releases P116T cash aid for displaced tourism workers

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) released a total of P116,465,000 to displaced tourism-related workers in Central Visayas.

DOT secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat reported that about 23,293 displaced workers have been approved to receive cash assistance under the DOT-DOLE Cash Assistance Program of the Bayanihan 2.

Bohol Province recorded 8,513 workers who have availed of the cash assistance program; 11,327 from Cebu Province; 1,564 from Negros Oriental, and 1,889 workers from  Siquijor.  Each displaced tourism worker received P5,000.

In a virtual awarding of certificates held  April 30, 2021 over the weekend, 1,594 beneficiaries from 16 Bohol-based establishments were acknowledged, with workers coming from tourism support services, resorts, restaurants, community-based tourism organizations (CBTO), and transportation, among others.

“These are but a few of the many programs the DOT has taken part or initiated to help the tourism industry of Bohol recover. We are counting on the continued support of our LGUs and the private sector to spur recovery forward,” said Puyat in her opening message.

Bohol Governor Arthur Yap who also attended the virtual ceremony said that the province continues to prepare for an eventual reopening, “We also did our best in trying to give support as well to tourism operators and tourism transport operators. All the DOT guidelines, certifications, and rules were all included in the provincial ordinance when we crafted our own Ultimate Bohol Experience (UBE) seal for the guidance of all our operators.”

The UBE seal is the provincial government’s seal of good housekeeping for all tourism establishments.

One of the beneficiaries from Bohol, Greatyl Garganian of Balicasag Island Dive Resort said, “Dahil po sa lockdown, walang mga turista at bisita ang resort. Ang iba sa amin ay nawalan ng trabaho, habang ang iba naman ay nabawasan ang araw ng pagtatrabaho. Kaya po malaking tulong itong cash assistance na naibigay.”

The lady tourism chief also disclosed the DOT’s programs and products to jumpstart the revival of tourism in the province of Bohol such as the development of “Farm, Fork, and Fitness: A Mountain to Sea Circuit to Wellness,” the Bohol Province Run featuring outdoor adventure trails, and the Bohol Culinary Circuit underscoring the gastronomic traditions of Panglao, Loon, Jagna, Loay, and Baclayon.

“At each of our destinations, we are collaborating with local government units, stakeholders and tourism workers, and the local communities to develop tourism destination products that will jumpstart the revival of tourism,” Puyat said.

As of April 15, there are 1,045 DOT-accredited accommodations in Central Visayas, an increase of 541.10 percent compared to the same period last year. Of this number, 264 are in Bohol.

P2 billion nationwide

In a report by Philippine Star, he government has approved the release of more than P2 billion in cash assistance to over 400,000 workers in the tourism sector displaced by the pandemic.

DOT and DOLE said they have used up P2.32 billion of their P3-billion facility from Bayanihan 2 to release P5,000 each to a total of 465,530 workers in tourism.

As of April 28, P1.68 billion was remitted by the DOT and DOLE to payment centers to benefit at least 325,678 workers.

The DOT and DOLE are waiting for the remaining P699.26 million to be disbursed. It will be distributed to a total of 139,852 workers once the amount is approved for release.

By region, CALABARZON registered the highest number of beneficiaries at 61,392, followed by MIMAROPA’s 56,955. After the two Southern Tagalog regions, Central Luzon came in next with 55,974, followed by Ilocos Region, 45,709 and Western Visayas, 45,429.

Likewise, the program covered tourism workers from Metro Manila, Central Visayas, the Cordilleras, Davao, Cagayan Valley and the rest of the regions.

Puyat said the cash assistance may provide some relief to tourism workers for now, but argued long-term changes must be made for the travel industry to recover.

“While it may help in the short term, we believe the best way to help stakeholders in the long run is to develop a tourism industry that is stronger, more resilient and more adaptable to change,” Puyat said.

Tourism employed about 5.7 million workers prior to the pandemic in 2019, but some 4.8 million of them were displaced by the health crisis, according to the DOT.

In response, the government allocated P3 billion under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act to distribute P5,000 each to tourism workers across the country. — with reports from Philstar.com